THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THHl'XI\I:RSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  AXGELES 


THE 


CHRISTIAN'S  MINIATURE 


A  PICTUEE 


OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  LIFE. 


R.  K   SEW  ALL, 


BOSTON: 

BENJAMIN   PEEKINS   &    CO. 

1846. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1846, 

BY    R.    K.    SEWALL, 

In  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the 
District  of  Massacliusetts. 


STEREOTYPED 

BY   S.   X.  DICKINSON   &   CO. 

BOSTON. 


DESIGN  OE  THE  WOEK. 

It  has  seemed  to  the  author  a  desidera- 
tum to  have  a  brief  outline — a  miniature  of 
the  Christian  life,  in  which  the  several  stages 
in  the  process  of  its  development  should  be 
described.  This  idea  he  has  attempted  to 
realize  in  this  volume.  Though  the  portrai- 
ture be  deficient  in  many  of  its  features,  yet 
it  is  believed  the  most  prominent  and  essen- 
tial are  embraced. 

Conscious  of  the  imperfect  execution  of 
the  task,  yet,  if  it  shall  assist  the  Christian 
to  a  view  of  himself,  and  in  the  work  of  self- 
examination,  the  author  will  feel  himself  re- 
warded. 


P^ 


7 


CONTENTS. 


Page 
Chap.  I.  Christian's  Natural  State,  5 

II.  Christian's  Developing  State  —  under 

conviction,  13 

ni.  Christian's  Developing  State  — in 

Process  of  Conversion,  23 

IV.  Christian  Developed,  33 

_-    >  Christian  Endowed  <      .^,   ,,  .. 

VI.  '  <  with  Hope,  48 

VII.  Christian's  Relation  to  the  World,    58 

VIII.  Christian's  Conquest,  69 

IX.  Christian's  State  of  Glorification,      83 


THE  CHRISTIAN'S  MINIATURE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE    CHRISTIAN    IN    HIS     NATURAL    STATE. 

Who,  as  he  looks  on  the  rude  and  shape- 
less pile  of  granite — or  the  blocks  of  marble, 
by  the  bench  of  the  statuary,  would  conceive 
of  the  figure  and  likeness  of  the  man  hid  under 
the  rough  exterior?  But  by  the  power  of 
genius,  the  strokes  and  delicate  finishings  of 
the  sculptor's  chisel  lay  bare,  first  the  ob- 
scure outlines,  then  the  image,  and  finally, 
the  naked  man,  in  all  his  symmetry  of  parts, 
in  all  the  delicacy  and  beauty  of  form  and 
feature,  the  cold  countenance  often  being 
lighted  up  with  a  glow  of  intelligence,  the 
marble — the  stone — the  block  being  made 
almost  to  speak  !  Now,  what  the  man  is  in 
the  block  of  marble,  the  Christian  is  in  his 


b  THE    CHRISTIAN  S    MINIATURE. 

native  state.  There  is  the  mass,  crude,  mis- 
shapen, formless. 

The  God-likeness,  originally  enstamped,  is 
defaced  and  overpx)wn  with  the  moss  of 
earth.  The  image  is  lost.  liut  it  may  be 
restored  by  the  skill  and  power  of  a  master 
.'ipirit.  The  Christian,  in  all  the  symmetrj', 
beauty,  purity  and  spirituality  of  high  and 
holy  character,  under  the  hand  of  the  spirit 
of  God,  is  developed  from  a  moral  mass  of 
senile  and  sin,  which  constitutes  the  natural 
man. 

The  defoniiity,  natural  and  moral  gross- 
ness  of  man,  in  his  carnal  state,  is  unbelief. 
Unielir/h  the  marble  and  the  granite  which 
encase  the  carnal  heart,  the  unhewn,  cum- 
brous exterior,  which  envelops  the  Chris- 
tian. This  is  the  natural  state  of  man- 
kind, the  great  evil  of  which  is,  the  atheism, 
the  practical  atheism  it  involves.  Therefore, 
luttiirally,  man  is  without  God  in  the  world. 
He  lives — he  acts — he  plans  and  executes  as 
though  God  did  not  exist.  He  hates  the 
knowledge  of  God,  and  does  not  choose  the 
tear  of  the  Lord.  The  consequences  are  le- 
gitimate.     On  account  of  unbelief  man  is 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    M I. M ATI' RE.  7 

condemned  on  charge  of  a  capital  oflence 
against  God.  "  He  that  believeth  not  is  con- 
demned already." 

lu  bis  natural  .state,  man  acts  as  though  he 
were  conscioun  of  being  uiulcr  such  condem- 
nation. Thoughts  of  death,  judgment  and 
eternity,  are  sources  of  distjuietude.  Hence, 
men  in  a  stnte  of  unbelief,  strive  to  divert 
their  thoughts  from  themselves,  us  account- 
able creatures  ;  und  they  desire  not  **  to  have 
God  in  all  their  thoughts."  Hence  unbeliev- 
ing men  shrink  from  the  truth  as  God  has 
revealed  it — they  dure  not  meet  it  face  to 
face — they  cannot  meet  it  frankly  and  not 
tremble.  Therefore,  when  exposed  to  the 
clear  ligiit  and  power  of  truth,  man  in  his 
natural  state,  (if  he  be  not  hardened  in  sin,) 
will  attempt  to  bribe  conscience,  and  darken 
reason  :  and  wrapped  about  and  shielded  with 
a  web  of  sophisms,  he  stands  forth,  the  cham- 
pion of  error.  Behold  the  felon  I  He  is  convict- 
ed of  crime  for  which  he  is  condemned  to  atone 
oji  the  gallows.  Kvery  hour  is  full  of  melan- 
choly forboding.  Every  moment  is  crowd- 
ed with  bitterness.  Every  foot-step— every 
clunk  of  bolt,  bar  or  chain,  are  ominous  of 


"^  THE    CHRISTIAN  S    MIMATl'RK. 

evil.  The  thouglit  of  his  puilt  nnd  condem- 
nation haunts  liiin  in  liis  solitude  ;  and  there- 
fore, he  endeavors  so  to  fill  up  each  moment, 
that  he  may  forget  himself,  and  his  end. 

And  it  is  the  same  with  man  in  a  state  of 
unbelief.  His  condition  and  that  of  the  felon 
are  very  like. 

The  unbeliever  is  disquieted  at  any  exhi- 
bition of  the  greatness,  and  i»o\ver,  and  justice 
of  CmkI.  The  general  fear  of  death,  springs, 
nu)stly  from  a  consciousness  of  guilt  and 
condemnation  before  God.  What  comes  af- 
ter death,  is  an  object  of  dread.  There  are 
indescribable  apprehensions  of  real  danger, 
in  the  dark  valley  and  shadow.  It  is  a  view, 
however  indistinct,  of  inexorable  justice, 
the  distant  gleaming  of  whose  sword,  flashes 
in  the  face  of  the  unbeliever  across  the  dark 
valley :  and  whose  frown  hangs  over  the 
gates  of  the  grave  !  Death  "  is  the  king  of 
terrors,"  because  he  is  a  minister  of  justice. 
The  condition  of  pardon,  in  order  to  salva- 
tion, implies  that  man  in  a  state  of  unbelief, 
is  already  condemned.  Man  may  be  for- 
given— he  may  be  acquitted,  but  he  cannot 
be  pardoned  if  he  be  not  condemned. 


THE    CHRISTIAN  S    MIMATfRK.  9 

Then,  all  who  ne«d  pardon — all  to  whom 
pardun  is  ofTered  in  the  (Jo«pcI,  must  be  in  a 
state  of  condemnation.  They  must  be  lust 
to  law  and  juniice,  before  executive  clemency 
can  open  a  door  of  salvation.  God  R()eak» 
to,  and  treats  with  the  unbeliever  a5  with  one 
condemned.  Therefore  he  has  made  provi- 
sion, and  oj)ened  a  way  for  the  encapo  of  un- 
believer*, through  pardon.  So  then,  the 
real  condition  of  unbelieving  men,  i«  that  of 
the  prisoner,  who  has  been  arraigned,  found 
guilty,  is  Hcntenced,  and  now  awaits  the  hour 
of  execution ! 

Such  is  the  natural  state  of  the  Christian. 

He  is  in  a  state  of  unnutigatetl  guilt.  I'n- 
belief  is  a  sin  of  }>eculi!ir  enormity,  not  only 
on  account  of  its  practical  atheism,  but  be- 
cause of  the  consequences  in  which  it  in 
volves  its  subjects.  In  all  judicial  proceed- 
ings, justice  seizes  quickly,  on  those  whoso 
oftencesare  marked  by  peculiar  atrocity,  and 
obvious  guilt.  There  is  no  debate  with  the 
jury ;  no  hesitancy  wiih  the  judge.  Con- 
demnation follows  hard  upon  conviction 
This  is  precisely  the  state  of  the  unbeliever's 
cause  at  the  tribunal  of  the  judge  of  quick 


10  THE    christian's    94IMATUKE. 

an>l  dcjul.  For  his  unbelief  man  is  condemn- 
ed already. 

In  his  natural  state,  the  Christian  is  in  great 
peril.  Though  the  guilt  of  no  other  sin  lies 
at  the  dt)or,  unbelief  itself,  is  sulliciently  enor- 
mous to  decide  the  question  of  his  eternal 
destiny.  When  man  is  weighed  in  the  bal- 
ances, with  his  works,  unbelief  will  turn 
the  scale  of  justice. 

The  condition  of  an  unbeliever,  is  legally 
and  justly  sealed.  Sentence  of  condemna- 
tion i-s  pronounced  ;  and  the  unbeliever  only 
lives  waiting  the  hour  of  its  execution.  On 
the  pivst,  it  is  written — hopeless.  On  the  dark 
front  of  the  future,  glows  the  fiery  sentence 
— "  he  that  bclieveth  not  is  condemned  alrea- 
dy  !"  Unbelief  meets  man  in  his  natural 
state  at  every  tuni,  and  shuts  in  his  face  ev- 
ery door  of  hope  ! 

Hence,  we  perceive  the  absolute  necessity 
of  pardon  as  a  condition  of  salvation  ;  and 
also,  the  necessity  of  repentance,  as  a  condi- 
tion of  j)ardon. 

The  only  safe  and  honorable  way  of  escajje 
for  the  condemned,  is  through  pardon.  This 
is  a  lawful  method  of  escape.     In  the  nature 


THE    christian's    MINIATCRE.  11 

and  constitution  of  jjoveniment,  pnrtlon  is  the 
njitiinil  means  of  relief  to  the  condemned — it 
18  the  natural  <lw>r  of  hope,  to  all,  who  are  lost 
to  Inw  and  justice. 

So,  the  natural  state  of  the  Christian,  is  one 
of  unbelief,  or  practical  atheism.  It  involves 
enormous  j^uilt.  It  incurs  all  the  riwjue  of 
impending  sentence  of  law,  which  hang:sover 
him.  burdened  with  the  "wrath  to  come." 
Justice  pu!\rd«  with  a  flnminjj  sword,  which 
turns  every  way  to  cut  off  escape,  while  par- 
don, on  account,  and  in  virtue  of  the  merits 
of  .lesus,  has  bridged  a  passape  to  hope  and 
heaven  !  Let  man  pass  here,  an»l  all  is  safe. 
Let  him  refu-e — delay  a  little  longer,  and  all 
is  lost  for  ever  ! 

Tlie  reason  why  the  Christian  in  his  nat- 
ural state  is  not  cut  off  at  once,  together 
with  all  who  are  in  this  condition,  is,  A^fuz/.ttf 
God  traits  on  man  to  be  graciuiif.  Sentence 
await*  its  execution.  Life,  is  the  pardoning 
period  of  human  existence.  Justice,  at  the 
!  solicitation  of  mercy,  lingers  on  the  track  of 
the  guilty,  and  condemned  through  the  day 
of  grace,  that  op|>ortunity  may  be  given  for 
the  overtures  of  mercy  to  be  complied  with. 


12  THE    christian's    MINMTIRK. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Heaven,  Earth  and  Hell, 
are  moved  to  save,  beinjj  emptied  of  their 
motives  to  hedge  np  his  course,  and  turn  the 
condemned  into  the  way  of  life  and  pardon. 
Such  is  the  natunil  condition  and  exposure 
of  the  Christian,  viewed  in  his  carnal  state. 
Unnlened  with  the  puilt  of  unbelief,  he  stands 
condemned  to  suffer  the  penalty  of  violated 
l;i\v.  He  is  in  a  state  of  treason  a;»ainst  the 
Sovereign  of  the  Universe.  The  wrath  of 
(jod  abides  on  him.  He  must  perish,  or  be 
rescued  from  the  bonds  of  sin,  and  the  hands 
of  the  executioner,  through  panlon.  Hence, 
by  nature,  the  Christian  is  a  child  of  wrath 
even  as  others. 


THE  christian's  mimatlre.         13 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  IN   HIS  DEVELOPING  STATE. 

This  state  is  complex,  —  consisting  of  two 
stages  —  conviction  and  conversion.  I  pro- 
pose to  consider  it  in  the  order  ot"  its  succes- 
sive stages,  as  a  process. 

The  dilTerence  between  this,  and  man's  nat- 
ural state,  consists,  in  a  lively  LnowUtii^f  of 
one's  true  condition  as  an  unhtUevrr.  Where- 
as he  was  once  blind,  ho  now  sees.  He  sees 
himself  to  be  guilty  and  lost.  Hi*  eye  aJTects 
his  heart.  He  trembles  in  view  of  his  peril. 
He  is  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  his  sin, 
which,  like  a  burden  of  lead,  bears  down 
on  his  heart  and  conscience. 

His  condition  is  no  worse,  —  his  guilt  and 
danger  are  no  greater,  —  his  sentence  is  no 
heavier  now,  than  before.  But  the  scales 
have  fallen  from  his  eyes.  He  has  become 
sensible  of  his  state  and  condition.  Here, 
is  the  precise  point  of  contrast,  between  the 


14  THE    christian's    MINIATURE. 

christian  in  his  natural,  and  in  his  devel 
oping  state.  This  contrast  is  technically 
exprespcil  by  the  temi  conviction. 

Conviction,  embraces  not  only  a  just  ap- 
prehension—  a  tnie  seju>e  of  one's  carnal 
state,  but  al«o,  a  lively  regret,  —  t/cep  jieni- 
tenct,  for  the  guilt  incurred. 

The  head  and  the  heart,  are  touched  by 
the  arrows  of  conviction.  Light  and  pain 
follow  in  their  course,  which  result  in  the 
product  of  a  peculiar  disposition.  So  the 
disposition  of  mind  preparatory  to  conver- 
sion, (or  that  change  of  state  and  relations, 
which  constitutes  the  christian, )  is  the  natural 
effect  of  the  process  of  conviction.  This 
disposition  develops  itself  in  the  christian, 
(while  in  the  state  of  an  awakened,  anxious 
sinner,)  as  subdued.  In  the  natural,  carnal 
state,  the  mind  and  heart,  in  their  temper, 
are  luisubdued. 

"  The  carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God, 
is  not  subject  to  his  law,  neither  indeed  can 
be." 

Man  universally,  in  his  natural  state,  lives 
as  though  he  were  independent  of  God.  He 
lives  without  God  in  the  world. 


TBE    christian's    MINIATURE.  15 


On  the  one  hand,  he  stoops  not  to  ask 
even  the  supply  of  his  necessary  breath,  and 
the  elements  of  health  ;  nor  on  the  other,  does 
he  render  thanks  for  what  lias  been  received. 
Confiding  in  himself  and  the  wisdom  of  his 
own  plans,  jealous  of  his  ri^ht  to  himself 
and  service  —  impatient  of  the  restraint  of 
that  divine  law,  which  is  obnoxious  to  the 
clamors  of  appetite  and  the  demands  of  lust 
—  man  naturally  and  generally,  d<*s  not 
recognize  the  authority  of  his  Creator,  nor 
yield  the  tribute  of  obedience  which  is  his 
due. 

When  Go<i  h:us  drawn  the  curtains  of 
night,  and  lighted  up  the  heavens  for  his 
convenience,  how  few  send  up  their  evening 
oblation  ? 

When  the  day-star  kindles  in  the  east  the 
light  of  morning,  how  few  think  to  [»ay  their 
morning  vows  ?  When  earth,  air,  and  sea, 
forest,  and  rill,  mingle  their  prHi>es  ;  —  when 
nature's  self  speaks  forth  glad  hosannas.  the 
voice  of  carnal  man  alone  is  silent. 

Hut  the  gush  of  godly  sorrow  in  the  heart, 
stricken  with  a  sense  of  sin,  breaks  down 
the  will,  and  sweeps  away  its  perverseness. 


16  THE    christian's    MINIATURE. 

No  man,  in  this  condition  can  forget  God, 
when  he  has  met  him  in  the  way  —  whose  ma- 
jesty has  made  liim  afraid  —  whose  terrors 
have  seized  upon  him.  There  is  no  longer  con- 
(idt-nce  in  his  own  might  and  wisdom.  •'  Tiie 
wicked,  through  the  pride  of  his  counte- 
nance will  not  seek  after  God."  When  this 
pride  is  broken,  inditTerence,  canial  security, 
can  no  longer  find  a  lodgment  in  the  mind. 
Sensible  of  the  evil  of  his  condition,  pene- 
trated with  a  view  of  his  ingratitude,  "  going 
and  weeping,"  they  shall  ask  the  way  to 
Zion,  with  their  faces  thitlierward. — Jere- 
miah v.  5. 

Such  is  the  evidence  of  a  subdued  dispo- 
sition, which  constitutes  that  "  broken-heart- 
edness "  essential  to  contrition.  The  will, 
the  desires,  the  affections,  and  the  thoughts, 
are  thus  broken  to  law,  and  are  reduced  to 
the  authority  of  the  Gospel. 

Tears  and  sadness,  desire  and  effort  to 
return  to  God,  indicate  a  state  of  submission 
which  is  induced  by  the  special  power  of 
the  spirit  of  God,  put  forth  to  break  down 
the  natural  temper  of  man's  perverse  will. 

The  instrument  by  which  conviction   is 


THE  christian's  miniature.        17 

wrought  in  the  heart,  is  the  Law  of  God. 
It  is  the  hiw-work  iu  the  soul,  which  creates 
:i  sense  of  sin. 

As,  our  schoohnivstcr,  the  law  teaches  and 
'^nhdnes  tlio  heart, —  drivos  man  out  of  him- 
self unto  Christ,  "  Who  is  the  end  of  the 
law  for  righteousness  to  him  that  be- 
lieveth." 

Another  fiMituro  of  this  disposition  is 
humility.  This  is  the  permanent  effect  of 
brokenness  of  heart,  or  that  subdued  state, 
in  which,  the  work  of  conviction  develops 
itself.  It  is  a  most  attractive  element  of 
character.  It  implies  a  just  apprehension 
"f  one's  true  relation  to  God  and  his  fellow 
man.  A  suitable  sense  of  dependence  on 
(iod,  is  however,  its  prevailing  feature.  A 
becoming  distrust  of  self,  begets  willingness 
to  be  taught  —  a  disposition  to  be  directed. 
It  prepares  the  way  to  be  led  by  the  spirit 
and  coun-^el  of  God. 

Therefore,  the  mind  truly  convicted  of  sin, 
instead  of  a  self-justifying  spirit,  humbly 
'•  asks  the  way  to  Zion." 

Man,  while  in  the  state  of  an  anxious 
sinner,   lies  not  down   iu    supine    inactiv- 


Ih  THE    christian's    MKMATURK. 

ity,  presuming  to  console  himself  with  the 
reflection,  "  if  I  am  to  be  saved,  I  .'-Imli  be 
saved,  let  me  live  as  I  list." 

No.  His  ill-desert  seems  so  great  he 
feels  willing  to  be  led.  "  What  must  I  do 
to  be  saved  ?  "  is  the  absorbing  question 
with  him. 

If  it  can  be  answered  satisfactorily,  the 
heart's  desire  will  be  gratified  ;  —  the  mind 
will  be  at  ease.  Man  is  no  longer  ashamed 
to  have  it  known,  that  the  salvation  of  his 
soul  is  the  great  object  of  his  concern.  He 
makes  no  secret  of  the  fact,  that  he  is  seek- 
ing the  pardon  of  his  sins.  Interested  to 
secure  to  himself  every  help,  he  seeks  it  at 
the  hand  of  God,  and  at  the  hand  of 
man. 

The  Bible  —  the  closet  —  the  pastor's 
study,  will  be  visited  ;  and  the  important 
errand  to  each  will  be  —  "how  shall  I  be 
saved  ?  " 

Earne^tnesfi^  is  another  development  in 
the  disposition  of  the  convicted  soul. 

The  eflbrt  of  genuine  penitence,  -Mill  ex- 
ert itself  in  a  hearty  desire  to  be  freed 
from  the  dominion  of  sin.     Sin  lies  heavilv 


THE    CHBISTIA?l'S    MINIATKRK.  19 


at  the  heart,  and  the  sense  of  its  guilt,  strikes 
the  soul  to  the  very  quick,  a.s  with  a  sting. 

No  desire  car.  well  b«  stronger,  than  that 
which  moves  the  heart  of  the  anxious  sifi 
ner.  Sin  becomes  his  loathing  and  abhor- 
rence, as  a  deadly-hiiteful  thing.  There 
is  —  there  can  be  no  peace  of  conscience, 
till  the  sense  of  this  bunlcij  of  moral  disease 
which  fills  the  soul  with  aches  and  pains,  be 
removed.  Perhaps  no  effort  is  so  intense, 
and  requires  more  perseverance,  than  that 
of  turning  from  siti  :uid  forsaking  it. 

In  this  effort,  the  eaniestness  betrays  itself, 
in  the  eye,  the  voice,  and  the  very  aspect  of 
the  man.  It  is  so  great  as  to  absorb  all  other 
things.  The  overwhelming  thought  is  —  "I 
am  lost  —  lost,  perishing."  —  "How  shall  I 
be  saved?"  Who  can  help?  Where  is  it 
to  be  found?  Whither.  0  whither  shall  I 
flee  from  this  troubled  brea.st  ?  And  when 
the  hope  of  the  possibility  of  relief  begins 
to  dawn,  it  is  seized  with  desire.  Every 
power  is  taxed  —  every  nerve  is  stretched  — 
every  energy  is  put  in  requisition. 

Man  must  strive  to  enter  into  life  —  many 
will  seek  to  enter  in  and  shall  not  be  able. 


■JO  THE    christian's    MINIATURE. 

The  earnestness  of  the  anxious  sinner 
to  escnpe  from  the  wrath  to  come,  is 
exhibited  in  an  elVort,  by  which  lie  strives 
to  secure  the  boon  of  pardon  at  tlie  hands 
of  God. 

Resohihon  and  rirtfrmiiiation,  are  furtlier 
developments  in  the  disposition  of  the  con- 
victed. 

Subdued,  under  a  heart,  broken  for  sin  — 
lnmil)lcd  under  a  sense  of  piiiltiness  in  the 
sight  of  God  —  earnest  to  be  freed  from  the 
power  and  dominion  of  sin,  —  the  anxious 
sinner,  is  resolved  on  escape.  He  lingers  not 
to  become  more  swift  of  foot,  or  better  fitted 
for  his  flight,  but,  he  "  hastes  to  Zion,  as  well 
as  asks  the  way." 

Until  man  has  determined,  that  he  will 
now  begin  the  work  of  his  salvation,  he  has 
absolutely  done  nothing. 

Until  the  anxious  sinner  is  determined  in 
his  own  mind  on  obtaining  religion,  it  is 
absolutely  certain  he  will  do  nothing.  He 
will  perish  in  his  sins.  He  must  resolve  in 
the  strength  of  the  Lord,  and  carry  the  reso- 
lution into  effect. 

Man  does  nothing,  before  he  resolves,  or 


THE    christian's    MINIATIRE.  21 

determines  on  doing  it.  Determination  is 
the  j^)un«l  of  efficient  action  in  securing  any 
interest,  in  accomplishing  any  purpose.  He 
who  is  awakened  at  night  by  the  cry  of  fire 
under  his  window,  may  stand  doubting 
whether  to  flee  by  seeking  the  door,  or  by 
leaping  from  the  window. 

His  irresolution  increases  his  peril.  Not 
being  detenniiied,  he  hesitates.  But  let  the 
flames  curl  about  his  lotlging  place  —  the 
roar  of  which,  combined  with  the  crash 
of  falling  timbers,  bursts  suddenly  on  his 
ear,  —  and  he  will  leap  for  his  life.  Ho  will 
no  longer  hesitate  about  the  way,  but  will 
be  concerned  only  to  escape.  The  very  ne- 
cessity of  his  condition  will  be  his  salvation. 
So  is  it  with  the  anxious  sinner  tnily  con- 
victed of  his  guilt.  The  sense  of  his  guilt 
and  danger,  awakens  his  fears,  and  excites 
him  to  escape  for  his  life ;  and  letting  go 
every  hold,  he  drops,  and  is  received  into 
the  arms  of  Jesus,  "  who  is  mighty  to  save  !  " 

The  convicted  sinner,  when  he  begins  to 
experience  in  his  heart  the  throbbings  of 
real  penitence,  in  the  light  which  is  shed 
upon  his  way  —  with  his  eyes  now  open  to 


\CZ  THE    CHRISTIAN   S    MIMATflM:. 

sec  his  tmc  condition,  beholds  an  open  door 
before  him,  whicli  no  man  can  slmt.  He 
enters  here  (hrouph  the  only  way  of  escape, 
whicli  "  is  Christ ;''  "  wlio  is  the  way,  the 
trutli  and  the  life."  With  joy  he  runs  the  race 
set  before  him,  and  is  not  weary ;  he  walks, 
but  does  not  faint.  He  finds  it  just  what  he 
needs  ;  the  highway  to  pardon  and  peace  in 
believing ! 

If  he  returns  to  the  city  of  his  carnal 
state,  death  is  in  the  city.  If  he  stops  by 
the  way,  or  remains  where  he  now  is,  he 
must  perish.  He  can  but  perish  if  he  ad- 
vances. Hope  dawns  before  him,  but  dark- 
ness gathers  behind.  Hence  his  resolution 
is  stimulated  to  the  utmost  —  his  determi- 
nation is  fixed. 

Such  is  the  disposition  of  genuine  peni- 
tence, as  exhibited  in  all  those,  who  truly 
seek  to  return  unto  the  Lord,  who  are  de- 
scribed in  the  Bible  "as  asking  the  way  to 
Zion  with  their  faces  thitherward,  saying, 
come,  let  us  join  ourselves  unto  the  Lord  in 
a  perpetual  covenant  never  to  be  forgotten." 


THE    CHRISTIAM'S    MINIATURE.  23 


CIIAl'TKR  III. 
christian's   developino  state. 

We  shall  now  consider  the  Christian  in 
thut  stnge  of  development  called  conversion. 

The  disposition  described  as  the  product 
of  conviction,  lays  the  founilation  of  the  pro- 
cess, by  which,  conversion  i>crfects  the  work 
of  Christian  relationship. 

By  this  process  a  retuni  to  God  is  effected  ; 
and  in  the  act  of  return,  man  becomes  united 
to  (Jod  a^  the  branch  is  united  to  the  vine 
through  faith  on  his  son ; — and  thus  man  be- 
comes a  real  child  of  God — a  true  Christian. 

The  Christiajfs  natural  state,  is  one  of 
alienation  from  Gotl.  His  return  i»  elTected 
by  an  alliance  with  GckI,  in  the  hearty  and 
faithful  execution  of  his  duties  as  a  subject. 

When  subjects,  in  a  state  of  revolt,  return 
to  their  duty,  they  bind  themselves  to  the 
person,  interests,  and  government  of  their 
sovereign.  Religion — a.s  the  word  signifies, — 
binds  man  to  the  person,  interests  and  gov 
emment  of  his  Maker.    This  is  its  object. 


24        THE  christian's  miniature. 

This  is  its  result  on  those  who  embrace  it. 
The  instrument  by  which  religion  binds — is 
11  covoimnt. 

Those  mourners  who  "  lucked  tlie  way  to 
Zion,  with  their  faces  thitherwtinl,"  proposed 
to  join  themselves  unto  the  Lord  "in  a  per- 
petual covenant."  I  upprchcml  these  were 
convicteil  sinners  who  wen- seeking  Kcligion, 
and  by  it.s  bonds,  an  union  with  the  Lord, 

Now,  this  is  just  the  process  by  which  the 
Ciiristian  passes  out  of  a  state  of  anxiety  and 
sorrow,  into  one  of  hope  ami  peace  in  believ- 
ing. The  act  of  return  to  the  Lord,  is  con- 
summated, by  an  agreement,  bargainor  cov- 
enant of  perpetual  obligation.  This  trans- 
action involves  conditions  and  obligations, 
foundeil  in  the  mutual  consent  of  the  parties. 
This  process, — so  well  understood  among 
men — so  constantly  in  practice — so  simple, 
and  yet  so  effectual, — God,  in  conde>cension 
to  our  state,  has  adopted  as  the  method  of 
return,  by  which,  the  sinner  may  secure  his 
favor.  The  disposition  already  described 
as  the  product  of  the  convicting  agency  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  is  the  basis  of  the  anxious 
smner's  eflbrts  to  seek  an  union  with  his 


THE    christian's    MIMATfRK.  25 

God.  He  who  has  promise*!  and  fulfilled — 
who  ha»  bought  nnd  fiuld,  possesses  practical 
knowledge  of  the  nature  of  this  important 
transaction.  This  covenant  by  which  roan 
is  holden  in  the  bonds  of  religion, — by  which 
he  is  tninsfemvl  from  him.*idf  to  his  Creator, 
uiul  is  constituted  a  Christimi — is  a  spirUtuU 
trauxiictiou. 

"  God  is  a  spirit.  He  seeketh  such  to  wor- 
s-hij)  him  as  will  worship  him  in  spirit  and 
truth."'  Therefore,  the  soul,  the  essentiiU, 
immortal,  invisible  self,  must  execute  the 
act,  which  (Jod  can  recojjuizo  as  the  legiti- 
mate act  of  the  rnnn.  It  is  with  tlie  mind — 
the  conscious  self,  God  has  to  do. 

The  bo<ly  and  its  organs  are  but  instru- 
ments. a!id  are  no  more  parts  of  the  essential 
nature  of  the  soul,  or  necessary  to  its  exist- 
ence and  action,  than  the  telescof>e  is  a  part 
of  the  eye,  or  necessary  to  the  existence  of 
the  astronomer. 

God  listens  to  the  language  of  the  thoughts; 
the  siilent,  secret  breathings  of  the  heart,-  he 
hear?,  while  the  loudest  vociferations  of  zeal 
arc  lost  in  sound,  or  returned  in  the  auswers 
of  echo. 


126  THE    CHRISTIANS    MINIATURK. 

The  soul,  the  whole  soul,  as  it  goes  forth, 
on  the  swellinps  of  n  full  tide  of  deep  desire 
to  meet  nnd  hold  communion  with  it.s  (Jod, 
alone  can  expect  to  find  audience.  Thus  if 
man  approachcn  unto  Goil,  and  desires  union 
with  him  in  a  covenant  transaction,  the 
act  is  a  spiritual  act, — the  spirit  of  God 
and  the  spirit  of  man  being  the  contracting 
parties. 

This  transaction  is  of  the  nature  of  a 
contract  to  wliich  two  parties  are  nece.s- 
sar}'.  Such  is  the  fact  in  this  transnction. 
Stipulated  duties,  conditions,  promises  and 
oMipations,  are  implied.  Such  arc  the  facts 
in  the  transaction  under  consideration.  Every 
Christian  is  conscious  of  it.  The  church  it- 
self, embracing  the  whole  bo<ly  of  Christians, 
is  constituted  by  an  act  of  the  nature  of  a 
bargain  with  God.  Evert'  visible  member  of 
Christ's  church,  is  so  constituted,  by  a  public 
transaction  of  the  nature  of  a  bargain. 

By  an  act  of  the  same  nature,  does  man  be- 
come Christ's.  He  is  bought  by  the  blood  of 
Christ.  There  must  then  have  been  a  bar- 
gain, to  which,  man  himself,  as  well  as  his 
Maker,  was  a  party. 


THE  christian's   MIMATIRE.         27 


Such  is  the  basiw,  both  of  the  covenant  of 
redemption  and  the  covenant  of  j^race.  The 
conditions  of  this  great  bargain,  are  simple, 
tliough  the  difference  between  the  contract- 
ing parties  is  infinite.  The  parties  are.  Al- 
mighty Cod,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  (jhmt, 
on  the  one  hand,  and  the  anxious  sinner  on 
the  other  :  the  creature  and  the  Creator — the 
Sovereipi  and  the  subject. 

The  rebellion  of  the  subject  has  occasion- 
ed the  displeiusure  of  the  Sovereign.  The  re- 
conciliation of  ihe  Sovereign  with  the  subject, 
and  the  return  of  the  subject  to  A  .<  thitif,  can 
in  no  way  profit  the  Sovereign.  It  will  not 
add  to  his  excellence,  or  glory  or  happine«s, 
and  anirels  and  nrchangeU  will  be  a«  ready 
to  love  and  obey,— and  the  halleluiahs  of 
Heaven  will  be  as  loud  and  long, — if  the  sub- 
ject be  not  reconciled. 

But  the  return  of  the  sinner  to  his  service 
as  a  subject  of  Jehovah's  government,  is  not 
only  his  duty,  but  his  privilege,  and  for  his  in- 
terest. All  the  advantage  is  on  the  sinner's 
side.  Therefore  the  sinner  cannot  enter  on 
equal  terms,  into  that  transaction  with  his 
God,  bv  which  he  is  adopted  into  the  family 


2S  THE    christian's    MINIATURE. 

of  God,  and  becomes  a  Christian.  God  will 
forever  be  as  essentially  holy,  just  and  good, 
if  the  sinner  perishes  in  his  sins,  as  he  would 
if  the  sinner  should  repent,  believe,  and  be 
saved.  Besides,  the  Christian  in  the  condition 
of  an  unbeliever,  is  guilty  and  condemned, 
on  the  charge  of  treason  against  God — a  cap- 
ital offenoo  in  the  court  above. 

He  has  nothing  to  plead  in  exteiniation  of 
his  guilt,  as  it  is  written,  "  every  mouth  shall 
be  stopped,  and  the  whole  world  become 
guilty  before  God." 

No  future  fidelity  can  retrieve  the  guilt 
and  mischief  of  the  past.  Ho  who  keeps  the 
law  of  God  to  the  very  letter,  merits  noth- 
ing. He  has  done  his  duty  merely.  But  in 
all  points,  man  comes  short ;  and  he  who 
fails  in  the  least,  is  guilty  of  all.  Such  is  the 
unequal  condition  of  the  parties.  Hence  the 
necessity  of  a  Mediator — a  days-man — who 
shall  take  the  place  of  the  sinner,  and  be- 
come his  surety  to  God. 

The  stipulations  in  this  bargain  (by  which 
man  acquires  an  interest  in  the  Christian's 
inheritance)  are  on  his  part,  love,  service  and 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  29 

obedience  ;  and  on  the  part  of  God,  they  nre 
parr/on  and  life  everlasting. 

lUit,  in  executing;  his  part  of  the  harpuin, 
man  falls  short  of  the  legal  requirements  of 
the  contract.  His  past  forfeiture — his  pres- 
ent short  comirips,  create  a  deficiency,  both 
in  merit  and  ability,  to  meet  the  demands  of 
justice.  This  deficiency  must  be  cancelled. 
In  the  covenant  of  redemption,  this  exijrency 
has  been  provided  for.  Help  ha'*  been  laid 
on  one  mip^hty  to  save,  who  stands  in  the 
sinner's  place  to  God,  and  in  the  place  of 
God,  to  the  sinner,  in  whom  meet  infinite 
merit  and  infinite  power.  His  resources  are 
adequate  to  the  wan's  of  the  greatest  sinner. 

Christ  is  the  Mediator  between  God  and 
man  ;  and  has  become  the  sinner's  surety 
unto  God;  while  in  Christ,  "  God  is  reconcil- 
ing the  world  unto  himself." 

Of  Christ,  God  spake  by  the  mouth  of  his 
holy  prophet,  saying,  "  I  the  Lord  have  call- 
ed thee  ill  righteousness,  and  g-iven  thee  for 
a  covenant  of  the  people." — Isaiah  42 :  6. 

Therefore,  in  that  tniiisaction,  by  which 
the  anxious  sinner  unites  himself  unto  God, 
Christ  stands  as  the  surctv  of  the  sinner ;  and 


30  THE    christian's    MINIATURE. 

is  entitled  to  the  honor  and  glorj'  of  his  sal- 
vation, as  the  representative  of  his  eternal  in- 
terests, and  is  at  once  the  argument  and  the 
advocate  of  his  claim  to  favor,  in  the  court 
of  Heaven  !  The  sinner  returns  to  his  duty, 
and  joins  himself  to  God,  by  giving  himself 
up  to  God,  in  a  formal  and  solemn  contract, 
engaging  to  glorify  him  in  his  body  and  soul, 
by  his  life  and  service,  trusting  in  the  merit 
of  Christ  Jesus,  for  commendation  to  the 
favor  of  God.  The  consequences  of  this  act, 
are  such,  that  all  obstacles  to  pardon  are 
removed.  In  the  surrender  of  himself  by 
covenant  to  God,  the  sentence  of  death  is 
suspended,  pardon  is  granted,  and  the  sinner 
is  enlarged  under  the  seal  of  redemption 
at  the  hands  of  his  God. 

Of  all  this  he  is  conscious.  Hope  now  rises 
in  his  prospect,  in  which,  he  rejoices  with  joy 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory ;  and  all  the 
peace  and  joy  which  can  spring  from  such 
a  change  and  such  facts,  pour  at  once  into 
his  soul  a  fullness  of  consolation  indescribable. 

Thus  he  becomes  the  Lord's.  Hence  a 
bargain,  involving  love,  obedience  and  ser- 
vice on  the  one  hand,  and  reward   on  the 


THK    christian's    MINIATURE.  31 

otiicr — (not  R5  the  sinner's  duo,  but  ns  n.  fa- 
vor) consummates  that  transaction,  by  which 
man  unites  himself  with  the  interest  and 
govenmient  and  glory  of  God — by  which,  he 
becomes  a  Christian. 

This  is  to  be  a  peqietual  "  covenant  never 
to  be  forgotten."  It  is  not  for  a  week,  a 
month,  or  a  year,  that  man  bargains  self  and 
service  unto  the  Lord.  It  is  for  time  and 
for  eternity.  No  man  can  assume  the  Chris- 
tian e.stjite,  and  be  released  from  the  obliga- 
tions of  a  Christian  life.  From  his  covenant 
vows  he  can  never  go  back.  His  obligations 
will  co-exist  with  his  being.  His  vows  will 
meet  him  at  death,  and  at  the  judgment 
seat  of  Christ !  God  will  not  forget  this  cov- 
enant. Then,  let  tlie  Christian,  and  he  who 
aspires  to  Christian  estate  and  privileges, 
remember  that  he  is  under  bonds  to  God, 
"  to  do  justly,  love  mercy  and  walk  humbly 
before  his  God." 

Such  is  the  bundle  of  life  eternal.  Its  cords 
like  cords  of  love,  bind  with  tender  firmness 
the  creature  with  his  Creator,  in  a  tie  death 
cannot  sever  I  Nevertheless,  they  are  the 
bonds  of  a  man.     They   are   the   bonds  of 


32        THE  christian's  miniature. 

choice,  promise,  and  duty.  They  bind  with 
the  force  of  a  contract. 

Then  let  the  sin-stricken,  anxious,  in- 
quiring sinner,  break  at  once  his  agreement 
with  death,  and  execute  that  act,  in  which 
he  shall  become  the  Lord's.  Blood-bought 
as  he  is,  let  him  close  in  with  the  over- 
tures of  mercy — strike  hands  with  his  God 
— engage  himself  unto  Jesus,  and  live  and 
die  in  the  bonds  of  faith.  Reader,  have 
you  negotiated  this  gi-eat  bargain  with  your 
God  ?  Have  you  thus  become  a  Christian  ? 
"  My  son,  give  me  thine  heart  V"  Have 
you  accepted  the  invitation  ?  Slight  it 
no  longer.  Close  in  with  mercy — give  up 
yourself,  your  hopes,  your  prospects,  unto 
God,  in  a  covenant  never  to  be  forgotten. 
So  shall  you  become  Christ's. 

Thus  have  I  endeavored  to  exhibit  the  dis- 
position of  the  Christian  while  under  the 
workings  of  the  spirit  and  law  of  God  in 
conviction,  and  the  process — in  that  great 
transaction,  by  which  he  passes  from  death 
unto  life.  He  that  runneth  may  read,  and 
the  way-faring  man,  though  a  fool,  need  not 
err  therein. 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  33 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE     CHRISTIAN     DEVELOPED. 

Having  looked  at  the  Christian  in  his  nat- 
ural state,  and  traced  him  through  his  devel- 
oping process,  while  emerging  from  dark- 
ness into  light,  we  shall  now  consider  him  in 
his  renewed  state,  and  if  possible,  we  shall 
exhibit,  the  new  phase  in  his  condition  and 
character,  so  that  every  eye  may  catch  an 
image  of  the  reflection.  Though  the  outline 
be  obscure,  yet  it  shall  be  true  to  nature. 

As  developed  in  his  relations  and  charac- 
ter, man  as  a  Christian,  is  a  "  neio  creature.'''' 
This  is  the  product  of  his  converting  change. 

The  secret  of  godliness,  is  a  great  mystery 
— as  it  is  written,  "  great  is  the  mystery  of 
godliness."  "  If  any  man  be  in  Christ  he  is 
a  new  creature."  To  be  in  Christ,  is  to  be 
foi-med  into  his  likeness,  to  be  interested  in 
his  virtue,  to  be  robed  in  his  righteousness, 
to  be  united  to  him  as  the  branch  is  united 


34        THE  christian's  mimature. 

to  the  vine — bound  up  with  him  in  the  bun- 
dle of  life.  In  fine,  it  implies  such  a  change 
in  the  nature  and  relations  of  man,  as  con- 
stitutes the  Christian. 

The  change  is  virtually  a  new  creation. 
Man  is  in  need  of  moral  renovation,  to  enjoy 
vigorous  spiritual  health.  His  natural  state 
is  one  of  moral  death,  which  is  developed 
in  physical  infirmity  and  decay.  The  first 
vital  effort  inhales  the  deadly  atmosphere, 
and  every  pulsation  urges  the  tainted  tide 
from  the  centre  to  the  circumference  of  the 
human  system.  "  In  Adam  all  have  died." 
By  him  sin  entered  into  the  world,  and  death 
by  sin.  "  So  death  hath  passed  on  all  men, 
in  that  all  have  sinned."  The  fact  that  all 
men,  in  some  real,  proper  and  important 
sense  are  dead,  is  clearly  asserted  in  the 
bible.  Then,  the  essential  element  of  spi- 
ritual life,  is  extinct  in  man. 

But  if  any  man  be  in  Christ  "  he  hath  life ;" 
and  this  element  of  Christian  life,  is  said  "  to 
be  hid  with  Christ  in  God." 

Then  the  Christian  element  of  character, 
is  essentially,  a  vital  princijyle.  The  Bible 
designates  it  as  life.    It  describes  its  effects 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  35 

as  vivifying ;  and  the  eternal  life  of  the  Chris- 
tian, will  be  but  the  full  expansion  of  this 
clement,  in  that  more  perfect  and  congenial 
state,  which  lies  beyond  the  grave. 

Now,  in  ordinary  circumstances,  a  vital 
principle  is  developed,  only  in  connexion 
with  a  new  creation.  Indeed  the  very  ex- 
istence of  a  vital  principle,  involves  a  new 
creation,  either,  in  the  ordinary'  process  of 
production  and  reproduction  within  the  cir- 
cle of  nature's  power,  or,  in  an  effort  of  mi- 
raculous power. 

Light  is  the  product  of  the  solar  my.  Mo- 
tion is  the  natural  product  of  disturbed 
forces.  So  the  vital  principle  is  the  natural 
product  of  a,  Jieiv  creatio7i,  in  the  vegetable, 
the  animal,  and  the  spiritual  kingdoms. 

If  man  be  spiritually  dead — dead  in  any 
proper  and  important  sense,  it  is  obvious,  a 
principle,  or  element  of  life,  must  be  intro- 
duced, and  infuse  vitality  into  the  heart  of 
the  spiritual  constitution,  ere  the  kindlings 
of  life  can  animate  the  soul.  But.  this  is  that 
regenerating  change,  which  creates  man  "  to 
neuntess  of  life^"'  and  is  wrought  in-  the  spirit 
and  temper  of  his  mind  ;  and  such  a  change 


'iCj  THE    christian's    MINIATITRE. 

must  ensue,  or  the  soul,  "  dead  in  trespasses 
and  sins,"  can  never  experience  the  throb- 
bings  of  spiritual  life,  or  enjoy  the  prospect 
of  eternal  life  ! 

This  change  is  wrought,  "  not  by  might, 
nor  by  power,  but  by  my  spirit,  saith  the 
Lord."  It  cannot,  from  the  very  nature  of 
the  case,  be  the  product  of  any  natural  pre- 
existing cause  in  the  constitution  of  man's 
moral  or  spiritual  nature.  Nor  is  it  the 
growth  of  any  seed,  or  germ  of  holiness  in 
the  heart  of  man  naturally.  Nor  is  it  the 
product  of  any  process  of  education  merely. 
Therefore,  in  a  mysterious  manner,  and  by  a 
supernatural  agency,  a  spiritual  change,  is 
wrought  in  man  in  the  progress  of  his  chris- 
tian experience.  This  change  is  not  a  more 
external  reformation.  It  is  not  apparent 
only,  but  it  is  a  real  internal  change.  The 
rudiments  of  a  two-fold  existence,  wrapped 
the  one  within  the  other,  exist  in  the  nature 
of  man.  The  grosser  is  physical,  which  acts 
through  a  medium  of  sense  ;  the  nobler  and 
most  essential  is  spiritual,  which  acts  through 
the  medium  of  faith.  The  organization  of 
the  former,  adapts  the  creature  to  his  present 


THK  christian's  mimaturk.        37 

« — 

mode  of  existence;  the  latter  is  ftilnptod  to  a 
hiplier,  future,  and  more  perfect  state. 

The  one  is  fruil,  mortal  and  transitory  ; 
tlio  other  is  immortal.  Tins  is  the  inner  man. 
IKto  the  allej^od  chaiij»o  is  wrought.  In  him 
wlio  has  passed  such  a  change,  cxtenial  ap- 
pearances, physiological  peculiarities  remain. 
The  features  are  the  same.  The  eye,  the 
^>ar,  the  voice,  the  whole  outer  man,  are  as 
thoy  were. 

Novertholess,  a  change  is  apparent.  We 
SCO  it,  we  hear  it,  wo  fool  it.  It  shows  itself 
through  the  man,  and  is  so  great,  peculiar 
and  glorious,  that  it  places  him  iu  contrast 
with  his  former  self. 

In  the  RMJovating  change,  the  current  and 
character  of  the  spiritual  exercises,  are  di- 
verted into  a  new  channel. 

Hut  spiritual  exercises  are  developed  in 
the  thoughts,  words  and  actions.  Therefore, 
the  change  exhibited  iu  the  daily  walk  and 
conversation  of  the  Christian,  is  but  the 
external  development  of  a  corresponding 
change  in  his  spiritual  state. 

The  facts  which  are  the  representatives  of 
this  change,  are  such,  ''that    things  once 


460017 


3S        THE  christian's  miniature. 

• 

hated,  are  now  loved ;  and  things  once  loved, 
are  now  hated."  The  fear  of  God  which 
springs  from,  and  has  its  source  in  filial  love, 
now  controls  the  heart  and  life.  !Man  under 
this  change  is  pressed  by  new  wants — excited 
by  new  desires.  "  He  hungers  and  thirsts 
after  righteousness."  He  loaths  and  abhors 
sin,  and  himself,  on  account  of  sin.  Urged 
by  new  motives,  he  enters  on  a  new  course^ 
of  life  and  conduct.  In  the  change,  holiness, 
anew  and  foreign  element  of  character  is  in- 
troduced, which  is  a  principle  of  spiritual  life, 
that  gradually  unfolds  the  christian  charac- 
ter and  assimilates  it  to  that  of  the  just  made 
perfect. 

The  spiritual  system  consists  of  the  union 
of  several  functions,  which  concur  in  the 
product  of  moral  action.  They  may  be  ar- 
ranged under  the  intellectual  powers — the 
affections  and  the  will.  The  affections  hold 
a  central  position  ;  and  are  denominated  the 
hearty  in  scriptural  phraseology. 

Originally  the  heart  beat  with  love  to  God. 
Now,  it  is  a  source  of  hatred  to  God  and  su- 
preme love  for  self. 

Originally,  it  poured  a  tide  of  life  through- 


THE   christian's    MINIATURE.  39 

out  the  spiritual  system,  which  ■vvamied 
every  emotion,  excited  desire,  and  kindled 
thought  to  a  plow  of  holy  and  fervid  com- 
munion with  God. 

But  a  disastrous  change  has  come  over  our 
race — a  ead  catjistrophe  ha-s  befallen  human 
nature  !  "  The  heart  is  now  deceitful  above 
all  things  and  desperately  wicked."  "  Out 
of  it  pnxieed  thefts,  munlers,  adulteries, 
evil  thoughts  and  all  uncleanness." 

Here  nestle  the  evil  passions.  Here  is 
hatched  every  diabolical  purpose.  Then  a 
change  of  heart  is  absolutely  necessary. 
Now  in  regeneration,  a  change  is  wrought, 
and  the  affections  are  the  seat  of  this  change, 
and  first  indicate  it.  Love  becomes  the  con- 
trolling power ;  and  benevolence,  like  a  clear, 
deep  and  well  defined  vein,  runs  through 
the  character.  So  the  heart  in  the  true 
Christian,  is  changed  from  sin  to  holiness,  and 
it  becomes  the  source  of  those  correcting 
influences,  which  develop,  perfect,  and  beau- 
tify, the  Christian  character. 

"  Whatever  things  are  pure  and  lovely  and 
of  gooii  report,"  are  desired;  while  impurity 
and  unholiness  are  abhorred.    For  the  affec- 


40        THE  christian's  miniature. 

tions  of  a  renewed  heart  flow  in  a  channel 
of  holy  desire  and  emotion. 

Thus  is  holiness  planted  in  the  heart  by 
the  spirit  of  (Jod.  It  grows  with  the  Chris- 
tian's growth,  and  ripens  with  his  age.  Faith 
and  good  works  are  its  fruits  here  in  the 
flesh  on  earth  ;  and  in  the  world  to  come, 
life  everlasting.  How  choice  the  fruit!  how 
ricli  the  harvest!  Who  will  not  sow  that 
he  may  reap  hereafter  ? 

Such  is  the  nature  of  that  change,  through 
which  man  passes  to  the  Christian  estate, 
and  by  which  he  becomes  a  new  creature. 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  41 


ClIAPTKR   V. 

THE    CHRISTIAN    ENDOWED. 

There  arc  two  endowments  with  which 
the  christian  is  invested,  and  which  distin- 
guish him  in  his  renewed  character. 

The  former  is  the  source  of  the  difTerence 
between  the  christian  and  tlie  wordling,  and 
constitutes  the  wall  of  separation,  between 
"  the  clean  and  the  unclean  —  the  holy  and  the 
unholy ; "  and  the  other,  is  the  source  of  the 
believer's  joy.  The  one  invests  him  with 
righteousness  —  the  other,  with  peace  in  be- 
lieving. The  one  is  faith ^  and  the  other  is 
lurpe. 

The  act  of  believing  in  Christ,  is  the  sub- 
stantial element  of  christian  faith.  The  end 
of  faith  is  the  salvation  of  the  soul ;  —  "  and 
without  faith,  it  is  impossible  to  please  God." 
Then,  faith,  is  in  some  important  sense,  con- 
nected with  human  salvation.  Now,  the 
righteous  are   those,  and   those   only,   who 


42        THE  christian's  mimatlre. 

"  shall  enter  into  life  eternal."  "  These  shall 
po  away  into  everlu-sting  punishment,  but, 
the  rightrous  into  life  eternal^''  said  Christ, 
in  his  description  of  the  conchiding  scene  of 
the  general  judgincnt.  "  Witliout  hulinoss  no 
man  shall  sec  the  Lord."  Only  in  righte  - 
ousness,  can  man  behold  the  face  and  stand 
with  acceptance  in  the  presence  of  his  Maker. 
Then,  the  necessity  of  personal  or  imputed 
righteousness,  (that  rigl»teousnes«  of  which 
holiness  is  the  essential  element,)  is  obvious. 
But,  man  is  naturally  destitute  of  righteous- 
ness. The  "sweet  singer  of  Israel,"  ex- 
claimed in  view  of  this  fact  —  "behold,  I 
was  shapen  in  iniquity,  and  in  sin  did  my 
mother  conceive  me  I"  As  it  was  with  the 
Psalmist,  so  is  it  with  all  other  men  in  their 
natural  state.  "  There  is  none  righteous, 
no  not  one."  Such  is  God's  estimate  of 
man's  moral  condition. 

Now,  man  is  utterly  unable  to  meet  this 
deficiency,  in  his  moral  qualifications  for 
Heaven.  He  cannot  clothe  himself  in  righte- 
ousness. Self-righteousness  will  no  more 
cover  the  nakedness  of  his  soul,  than  filthy 
rags  would  hide  and  protect  his  naked  body. 


THE    CHRISTIA?»'S    MINIATIBE.  43 

And  though  innn  has  sought  out  mnny  in- 
vcnlions  —  "  hus  hewn  out  to  himself  cis- 
terns—  broken  cisterns  that  can  hold  no 
water"  —  a«  he  stands  looking  wislifuUy 
therein,  expecting  to  purge  away  his  un- 
clcanness  ;  —  in  his  own  blood  and  tears,  and 
toil,  to  wash  his  robe  and  make  it  white  — 
God  meets  hira  in  the  way,  saying,  "  though 
thou  wash  thee  with  nitre  and  take  the 
much  soap,  yet  tliine  iniquity  is  marked 
before  me  saith  the   Ix)rd."     Jer.   2,  22  v. 

Therefore,  righteousness  must  become  the 
possession  of  all  who  shall  be  saved,  or  enti- 
tled to  regard  as  Christians. 

Law  is  the  natural  source  of  righteous- 
ness ;  its  righteousness  is  rendered  available 
through  obedience.  But  Christ  is  the  gra- 
cious source  of  righteousness,  which,  as  a 
gift,  becomes  available  through  faith  as  ita 
medium. 

That,  faith,  is  connected  with  righteousness 
as  a  medium,  the  Bible  renders  obvious. 
Abel,  Noah,  Abraham  and  the  Patriarchs, 
were  righteous  before  God  ;  but  their 
righteousness  was  of  faith.  Indeed,  "  with 
the   heart    man    believeth    unto    righteous- 


44        THE  christian's  iminiature. 

ness.'  Rom.  10, 10  v.  Faith  is  urged  in  the 
Bible,  as  a  condition  of  salvation,  because, 
it  is  a  medium  of  righteousness.  Faith 
opens  a  channel  of  righteousness,  full,  free, 
abounding,  which,  in  all  the  fullness  of 
the  Godhead  dwelt  in  the  person  of  Christ, 
and  like  the  rill  from  its  fountain  head, 
leaped  in  living  streams  from  his  wounded 
hands  and  pierced  side,  as  he  hung  on  the 
crof^s  ! 

Faith  is  appropriative.  In  believing  a  dog- 
ma, a  fact,  or  an  opinion  of  others,  we,  in 
a  true,  proper  and  practical  sense,  make  it 
our  own,  for  our  use  and  advantage.  Then 
he  who  believes  in  Christ,  as  his  substitute 
to  God  for  virtue  —  as  his  surety  to  God  for 
fidelity  in  service  —  as  the  centre  and  cir- 
cumference of  his  hope  of  favor  with  God  — 
makes  the  righteousness  of  Christ  his  own, — 
so  far  as  is  necessary  to  his  acceptance  with 
God.  From  the  very  nature  of  the  relation 
of  faith,  the  righteousness  of  which  it  is  the 
medium,  is  just  such  righteousness  as  will 
be  acceptable  with  God.  He  must  regard 
with  infinite  complacency,  his  own  excel- 
lence.    But  the  righteousness  of  which  faith 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  -lO 

is  a  medium,  is  the  righteousness  of  God  in 
Christ ;  and  it  is  this,  which  becomes  avail- 
able unto  salvation. 

"  For  God  hath  made  him  to  be  sin  for  us 
who  knew  no  sin,  that  we  might  be  made 
the  righteousness  of  God  in  hifh."  2  Cor. 
5,  21  V. 

Thus  does  the  christian  appear  righteous 
before  God.  He  shines  in  the  lustre  of  bor- 
rowed beams.  He  is  clothed  with  righteous- 
ness not  his  own,  as  with  a  garment.  It  is 
"  a  robe  washed  and  made  white  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb."  Thus  arrayed,  the  christian 
is  fitted  to  stand  in  the  presence  of  God  and 
the  Lamb,  without  spot  and  blameless,  and 
to  mingle  in  the  society  of  the  "spirits  of 
just  men  made  perfect."  Thus  arrayed  in 
the  vesture  of  Christ,  redeemed  sinners  will 
fill  the  orchestra  on  high,  and  sing  on  the 
celestial  heights  and  along  the  banks  of  the 
river  of  life,  and  through  the  streets  of  the 
golden  city,  "that  new  song — worthy  is  the 
Lamb  that  was  slain,  for  thou  wast  slain  and 
hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood."  So 
the  christian  is  endowed  with  faith  that  he 
may  become  possessed  of  the  righteousness 


46         THE  christian's  miniature. 

of  Christ,  and  share  an  inheritance  with  the 
saints. 

The  mendicant  who  walks  our  streets, 
soliciting  his  bread  at  the  hand  of  charity  — 
who  would  be  spurned  from  the  very  door- 
stool  of  a  bfenk  —  in  the  name,  and  with  the 
check  of  a  friend  who  has  money  deposited 
in  its  vaults,  may  stand  at  its  counter,  and 
despite  his  rags  and  haggard  looks,  draw 
forth  silver  and  gold  for  the  supply  of  all 
necessities. 

Faith  is  to  man,  what  the  bank  check 
would  be  to  the  beggar. 

Christ  is  the  sinner's  friend.  He  has  pro- 
vided a  deposite  of  righteousness  sufficient 
for  life  and  salvation.  With  faith,  poor, 
blind,  naked,  and  destitute  as  he  is  in  a 
spiritual  sense,  the  sinner  may  present  him- 
self in  the  name  of  Jesus  at  the  very  door  of 
Heaven,  and  draw  on  its  righteousness  for  the 
supply  of  every  spiritual  necessity. 

Thus  Christ  is  accomplishing  human  sal- 
vation, by  fitting  man  for  the  presence  of  his 
Maker  and  the  society  of  Heaven  —  cloth- 
ing the  christian  in  his  own  righteousness  — 
purifying  to  himself,  in  this  way,  "  a  peculiar 


THE    CHRISTIANIs    MINIATURE.  47 

people,"  and  reconciling  those  who  were  en- 
emies by  wicked  works,  that  he  may  pre- 
sent them  unto  God,  "  holy,  unblamable 
and  ureproachable  in  his  sight."  Colos.  1, 
22  V. 


48        THE  christian's  miniature. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
the  christian  as  endowed  with  hope. 

The  endowment  of  faith  has  relation  to 
the  christian's  moral  condition  ;  but  hope 
contemplates  his  present  and  future  blessed- 
ness. Hope  is  the  bow  of  promise  to  the 
christian  life,  within  the  circle  of  whose 
influence,  though  often  enveloped  in  clouds 
and  darkness,  life  is  charmed.  Hope  con- 
sists in  the  union  of  desire  and  expectation. 
The  act  of  such  a  union,  is  the  soui'ce  of  the 
existence  of  hope  in  a  philosophical  point  of 
view.  Christian  hope,. is,  then,  the  union  of 
christian  desire  and  expectation. 

It  is  the  natural  desire,  and  the  ear- 
nest expectation  of  man,  that  there  is 
for  him,  a  life  beyond  the  grave.  We 
are  conscious  of  the  springing  of  an  immor- 
tal something  within  —  a  germ  of  that  life 
to  be. 

The  flower,  which  is  reared  in  some  dark 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  49 

recess,  turns  instinctively,  and  stretches 
itself  in  the  direction  of  the  straggling  sun- 
light, to  drink  in  health  and  verdure. 
So  the  germ  of  immortality  within  man, 
stretches  itself  in  thought,  desire  and  ex- 
pectation, onward  and  upward,  to  the  light 
and  purity  of  a  more  perfect  state. 

For  whatever  be  the  condition  of  our  spe- 
cies, they  look  beyond  the  bounds  of  time 
with  deep  solicitude  ;  and  though  a  dense  and 
cheerless  mist  rises  before  the  spiritual  vis- 
ion, and  shades  the  prospect,  yet,  there  are 
traceable  tiie  outlines  of  a  future  state. 
There  is  a  land  —  there  are  shores  washed 
by  an  eternal  sea ;  and  now  and  then,  a 
shadow  sweeps  over  earth,  —  an  echo  reaches 
mortal  ear  !  Here  lies  that  *'  world  to  come," 
so  often  spoken  of  by  Christ  —  where  man  is 
to  fill  up  the  measure  of  his  being,  after  a 
brief,  preparatory  sojourn  here  on  earth,  in 
the  flesh. 

Connected  with  these  facts  are  high  inter- 
ests ;  -^  interests  co-extensive  with  the  work 
of  the  soul< — interests,  which  involve  all  an 
immortal  being  can  hope  —  all  he  has  rea- 
son to  fear. 


50  THE    christian's    MINIATURE. 

Now,  concern  is  the  mother  of  hope.  Then, 
whoever  has  religious  desires  and  expecta- 
tions, and  is  concerned  for  the  interests  in- 
volved therein,  cherishes  hope  concerning 
them. 

The  Bible  speaks  of  genuine  and  spurious 
hopes.  A  genuine  hope  is  described  under 
the  figure  of  an  anchor ;  and  the  hope  of 
the  hypocrite,  as  a  "  spider's  web."  The 
former,  is  sure  and  steadfast ;  the  latter,  is  a 
net,  with  which  souls  are  caught  and  entan- 
gled for  their  ruin. 

The  drowning  man,  it  is  said,  will  catch  at 
a  straw;  so,  the  sinner,  is  liable  to  mistake 
when  he  feels  himself  sinking  in  the  troubled 
deep  of  sin,  and  will  grasp  at  a  shadow,  and 
cling  to  it  with  all  the  tenacity  of  despair  ! 

A  man  with  a  sore  conscience  seeks 
ease,  rather  than  soundness  and  healing. 
Comfort  or  happiness,  at  this  day,  is  the 
motive  with  many  in  seeking  religion.  It  is 
for  its  consolations,  rather  than  its  duties, 
there  is  reason  to  fear,  that  many  desire  re- 
ligion. Therefore,  multitudes  in  all  proba- 
bility, in  their  hot  haste  to  escape  the  edge 
of  the  sword  of  the  spirit,  and  get  out  of  its 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  51 

reach,  run  into  the  church,  having  seized  only 
the  cloak  of  Religion ;  and  hence  we  per- 
ceive, that  many  have  a  form  of  godliness, 
but  none  of  its  power,  —  a  name  to  live  while 
they  are  dead. 

But  genuineness  or  fraud,  is  indicated  by 
certain  peculiarities  ;  and  often,  one  well  de- 
fined characteristic  is  sufficient  to  settle  the 
question. 

Now,  a  genuine  hope  has  a  distinguishing 
peculiarity  —  a  marked  characteristic.  The 
reason,  which  lies  at  the  foundation  of  a 
genuine  hope  —  its  peculiarity  —  its  distin- 
guishing feature,  is  the  effect  of  its  ivjiaeiwe. 
"  He  that  hath  this  hope  purifyeth  himself." 
Then,  the  purifying  influence  of  the  hope, 
on  the  mind,  heart  and  life  of  him  who  cher- 
ishes it,  is  its  distinguishing  feature. 

The  influence  of  a  genuine  christian  hope, 
is,  in  its  nature  and  design,  purifying. 

Purity  is  a  rare  and  distinguished  attain- 
ment ;  and  is  of  great  value  in  the  estimation 
of  Jehovah.  "  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart, 
for  they  shall  see  God." 

One  main  object  with  Jesus,  in  the  great 
work  of  mediation,  was,    "  that    he  might 


52        THE  christian's  miniature. 

piu-ify  to  himself  a  peculiar  people  zealous 
of  good  works."  The  whole  system  of  the 
machinery  of  grace,  was  adapted  and  oper- 
ates to  effect  this  one  design.  The  presence 
of  God,  will  be  a  source  of  the  greatest  joy  to 
any  pure  intelligence.  The  presence  of  God 
and  the  Lamb,  is  the  all-pervading  medium 
of  the  joy  and  blessedness  of  Heaven.  Its 
light  is  superior  to  the  power  and  brightness 
of  the  sun.  It  illumines  the  Heavenly 
clime,  and  gilds  every  prospect  from  the 
Holy  Hill  of  Zion,  and  impai-ts  life  and 
gladness  to  every  inhabitant  of  the  heavenly 
world.  To  bask  in  its  uncreated  aud  ever- 
lasting eff"ulgence,  is  the  earnest  desire  and 
expectation  of  every  christian.  This  desire 
engrosses  his  heart.  It  is  the  centre,  about 
which,  his  hope  revolves.  In  the  light  of  a 
prospect  of  becoming  pure  and  holy,  his 
hope  brightens,  glows  and  wanns. 

Now,  such  a  hope,  will  exert  a  coiTespond- 
ing  influence  over  the  clmstian's  life  and 
character.  It  will  beget  the  desire  and  ex- 
cite the  effort  to  become  holy. 

Therefore,  under  the  influence  of  a  genu- 
ine   hope,  he  who  possesses  such  a  hope, 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  53 

will  bring  his  personal  agency  to  co-operate 
■with  the  tendency  of  his  hope,  in  the  pu- 
rification of  his  heart  and  life. 

"  Faith,  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped 
for." —  But  faith  works  by  love  and  purifies 
the  heart.  Purity  is  an  essential  element  of 
holiness.  Angels  are  holy,  because  they  are 
pure  spirits.  Heaven  is  pure,  because  its 
very  atmosphere  is  holiness.  Spirits  of  just 
men  made  perfect,  who  abide  there,  are  pure, 
because  they  are  holy. 

The  hope  of  the  Christian,  being  a  product 
of  holiness,  is  itself,  a  source  of  holy  emotion 
and  influence  which  are  strong  and  penetrat- 
ing. 

The  Bible  describes  spiritual  life,  as  a  well 
or  fountain  of  living  water,  which  opens  in 
the  heart  of  the  believer,  as  a  gushing  spring 
of  life  and  blessedness.  From  the  waters 
of  this  well  of  life,  is  formed  the  hope  of  the 
christian,  which  like  a  glorious  bow,  bends 
over  the  prospect  beyond  the  grave.  Hang- 
ing in  the  heavens  above  him,  this  hope  pow- 
erfully attracts  the  soul  in  holy  aspirations  to- 
wards that  bright  and  blessed  abode  where  ev- 
ery breath  is  purity,  and  every  breeze  is  love  ! 


54        THE  christian's  miniature. 

The  hope  of  the  Christian,  shoots  its  ray 
across  the  dark  valley  and  shadow  of  death 
into  the  scene  of  a  future  life,  where  it  ex- 
pands into  a  prospect,  most  enchanting  and 
glorious.  This  is  the  land  of  Beulah,  on  the 
borders  of  which,  Payson  plumed  his  spirit 
for  its  eternal  flight.  Here,  is  the  Canaan 
of  the  Christian's  pilgrimage  —  where  the 
"  weary  are  to  rest  —  and  the  wicked  cease 
from  troubling."  Here  is  a  scene  of  blessed- 
ness to  be  enjoyed  by  the  Christian,  because 
it  is  a  place  of  holiness. 

Here  the  burning  seraph  spreads  its  wing 
and  chants  its  glad  hosanna. 

Here  too  is  Jesus,  —  the  mediator  of  the 
new  covenant  —  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of 
power  —  clothed  in  a  vesture  dipped  in  blood 
—  who  is  the  beating  pulse  of  the  blessedness 
of  the  Heavenly  hosts  !  Indeed,  the  high 
walls  of  precious  stones,  and  the  gates  of 
massive  pearls  which  enclose  the  celestial 
city,  will  forever  shut  out  and  exclude  all 
impurity,  "  for  there  shall  in  no  wise  enter 
into  it,  any  thing  that  defileth,  neither  what- 
soever worketh   abomination,  or  maketh  a 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  55 

lie,  —  but  they  which    are  written    in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  life."    Rev.  21,  37  v. 

Now,  to  such  an  abode,  the  hope  of  the 
christian  allures  his  feet. 

It  excites  the  soul,  by  awakening  desires, 
which,  like  a  raging  thirst,  bum  in  the  soul 
and  impel  it  to  seek  gratification  by  fre- 
quent draughts  from  the  word  of  God  and 
the  rich  fullness  of  his  grace.  Hence,  a 
process  of  purification  is  conducted  in  the 
heart  of  the  Christian,  by  the  influence  of 
his  hope,  directed  by  the  spirit  of  God, 
whose  work  it  is  to  render  the  Christian  more 
pure  and  holy,  till  like  a  shock  of  corn,  he 
has  become  fully  ripe  for  the  harvest. 

Here,  then,  we  have  a  test,  by  which  the 
Christian  may  judge  of  his  hope,  whether  it 
be  true  or  false. 

The  effect  of  the  influence  of  his  hope,  af- 
fords such  a  test.  This  influence  will  tell  on 
the  heart  and  life  —  operate  in  private,  as 
well  as  in  public  —  in  the  closet,  as  well  as 
on  the  house  top.  It  will  leave  its  traces  of 
purity  on  the  thoughts  and  desires. 

It  will  excite  in  the  Christian,  hungering 
and  thirsting   after  righteousness  —  it  will 


56        THE  christian's  miniature. 

dispose  him  to  break  away  from  evil  habits 
of  remaining  sin,  till  one  after  another,  their 
galling  shackles  shall  be  loosened  and  drop 
from  the  weary  soul.  It  will  aid  him,  in 
making  new  conquests  over  himself,  his  dis- 
position, evil  inclinations  and  desires. 

"With  fear  and  trembling,  he  will  watch  and 
keep  the  garden  of  his  own  heart.  He  will 
watch  with  increasing  solicitude,  against  the 
evil  hour  of  temptation.  He  will  love  to 
pray  in  secret-  He  will  admire  and  love  the 
character  of  God  with  increasing  fervor,  and 
all,  who  bear  the  image  of  Jesus  Christ. 

His  interest  in  the  discharge  of  religious 
duties,  will  increase.  He  will  esteem  the 
privileges  and  opporttmities  of  grace  more 
precious- 

He  will  receive  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it, 
and  hate  and  avoid  error.  He  will  love  ho- 
liness for  its  own  sake,  and  hate  and  avoid 
sin  on  account  of  its  inherent  turpitude. 

Such  are  some  of  the  marks  by  which 
a  good  hope  traces  its  influence  on  the  life 
and  character  of  the  Christian.  By  these 
marks,  it  may  be  definitely  ascertained. 

Thus  the  christian  as  endowed  with  hope, 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  57 

is  purified  and  perfected  in  proportion 
to  which,  his  joy  and  blessedness  are  in- 
creased. 

For  the  Christian's  hope,  beams  with  the 
dawning  light  of  that  future  and  more  per- 
fect state,  where  no  storm  beats  —  no  cloud 
obscures  the  prospect.  The  Christian's  hope 
is  full  of  balm  for  the  wounds  of  sin.  Its 
consolations,  "  the  world  can  neither  give 
nor  take  away."  Its  sweet  foretastes  of 
Heaven,  to  the  soul  of  the  child  of  Jesus, 
are  like  the  drops  of  dew,  which  fell  in  bread 
round  about  the  encamped  hosts  of  Israel  in 
their  journeyings  through  the  wilderness  to 
the  promised  land.  Thus,  as  endowed  with 
faith  the  Christian  becomes  possessed  of 
righteousness ;  and  as  endowed  with  hope, 
he  is  allured  into  paths  of  peace  and  purity, 
till  he  is  sanctified  in  the  full  enjoyment  of 
the  holiness  and  blessedness  of  the  paradise 
of  God. 


58        THE  christian's  miniature. 


CHAPTER  Vir. 
christtan's  relation    to   the    world. 

As  related  to,  and  connected  with  the 
glory  of  his  Creator,  man  cannot  live  in  vain. 
He  dies  not  to  himself.  Living  or  dying 
man  must  so  far  subserve  the  end  of  creation, 
as  to  exhibit  the  benevolent  principle  on 
which  Deity  acted  in  putting  forth  creative 
power.  This  element  in  the  divine  charac- 
ter must  have  a  development  in  all  his  works 
to  the  grand  display  of  which,  man,  sensual, 
selfish,  groveling  man,  must  ultimately  con- 
tribute, in  his  life  and  death,  —  "for  none  of 
us  liveth  unto  himself,  and  no  man  dieth  unto 
himself." 

In  the  fall  of  man  from  primordial  inno- 
cence and  virture,  the  world  passed  into  a 
state  of  revolt  against  God.  He  became  a 
rebel,  and  lived  in  treason  ;  and  on  this  ac- 
count, the  favor  of  his  Sovereign  was  forfeit- 
ed, —  while  justice  required  the  sacrifice  of 
man  to  the  honor  of  law,  or  the  reconcilia- 
tioft  of  man  with  his  God,  as  a  subject  of  law. 


THE  christian's  mi.mature.        59 

The  reconciliation  of  this  world  with  its 
JIaker,  has  ever  been  a  prominent  object 
with  the  court  above.  This  was  the  main 
object  of  the  mission  of  Jesus  to  earth.  Hav- 
ing projected  the  scheme  of  grace, —  which 
began  its  movements  cotemporaneously  with 
the  fall,  in  the  course  of  which  the  cross  be- 
came tlie  centre  of  action,  —  and  having  set  in 
train  of  operation,  a  series  of  mighty  agencies, 
and  committed  to  the  apostles  and  their  suc- 
cessors, the  ministry  of  reconciliation,  and  in- 
stituted a  church,  as  the  depository  of  means 
and  agencies  in  reconciling  man  with  his 
Maker,  Christ  ascended  on  high,  to  manage 
the  interests  of  the  great  work  above. 

Now,  it  is  in  connexion  with  this  scheme 
of  things,  the  Christian  is  called  to  live  and 
die  in  a  world  exposed  to  the  casualties 
of  sin,  temptation  and  evil.  Through  this 
scheme,  the  Christian  is  related  to  the  world 
and  connected  with  its  destiny. 

The  church,  in  its  largest  sense,  is  a  body 
of  Christian  believers — men  who  have  been 
reconciled  with  God,  and  washed  and  puri- 
fied in  the  blood  of  his  Son. 

Christ  is  the  head  of  this  body.     Christians 


60  THE    CHRISTIAN'S    MINIATURE. 

are  the  members  and  organs,  which  direct 
and  concentrate  the  moral  power  lodged  in 
the  church,  so  as  to  make  impression  on  the 
world. 

This  power  has  ever  been  aimed  by  Chris- 
tianity, at  the  single  object  of  turning  men 
from  sin  unto  holiness,  and  from  the  service 
of  Satan  unto  God. 

In  the  exercise  of  their  peculiar  and  ap- 
propriate duties.  Christians  animate  the 
church,  which  is  the  body  of  Christ. 

The  world  lies  in  sin.  Its  children  are 
sinners.  Impenitence  and  perverseness,  mar- 
shal them  on  the  plains  of  time,  as  the  arm- 
ies of  the  aliens. 

Though  they  often  rush  upon  the  thick 
bosses  of  Jehovah's  power,  the  God  with 
whom  we  have  to  do,  being  merciful,  long 
suffering  and  of  great  forbearance — •'  not 
willing  any  should  perish" — hushes  the  thun- 
der of  his  wrath — bids  justice  stay  its  sword, 
till  opportunity  shall  have  been  granted  for 
repentance  and  reconciliation.  While  thus 
waiting  to  be  gracious,  God  sends  forth  his 
spirit,  and  raises  up  in  the  midst,  and  from 
the  very  ranks  of  rebel  men,   "  a  new-born 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  61 

race — a  chosen  generation — a  peculiar  peo- 
ple." This  people  he  makes  use  of  in  exe- 
cuting his  gracious  design  of  benevolence,  by 
planting  them  around  his  ambassadors,  to 
stay  up  their  hands,  and  second  their  efforts, 
in  the  ministry  of  reconciliation. 

The  whole  company  of  redeemed  men  be- 
long to  the  embassage,  and  are  appointed  by 
God  to  live  and  die,  (if  need  be,)  in  sustain- 
ing the  institutions  of  religion  and  executing 
plans  for  the  reconciliation  of  a  world  of  per- 
ishing sinners.  The  ministers  of  the  cross 
are  the  envoys  extraordinary,  but  Christians 
belong  to  the  same  mission  of  peace  and  good 
will  to  man,  which  was  heralded  by  a  multi- 
tude of  the  Heavenly  hosts,  that  hovered 
over  the  manger  in  Bethlehem,  where  the 
infant  Savior  lay. 

While  they  live  in  it.  Christians  are  citi- 
zens of  the  world  ;  and  though  they  are  but 
pilgrims  and  strangers  on  earth,  they  are 
connected  to  it  by  civil,  social  and  domes- 
tic relations. 

Thus,  the  Christian  is  connected  with  the 
world,  and  by  the  connexion,  constitutes  a 
centre  of  influeuce  in  the  circle  of  social  re- 


62        THE  christian's  miniature. 

lationship,  which  mingles  with  the  tide  of 
national  character — which  diffuses  itself  like 
leaven  throughout  the  mass  of  society.  On 
all  within  his  circle,  the  Christian  operates  ; 
and  when  the  influence  of  several  are  com- 
bined, it  silently  affects  the  whole  commu- 
nity, checks  open  vice,  and  swallows  up  out- 
breaking sin.  Christian  influence  is  the 
great  conservative  element  in  human  society. 

In  his  change  from  a  state  of  nature  to  a 
state  of  grace,  God  uses  the  Christian,  by 
turning  his  life  to  his  service  and  glory. 

In  the  conversion  of  Paul,  was  seen  the 
hand  of  Almighty  God ;  and  in  every  case  of 
the  conversion  of  a  sinner  fiom  the  error  of 
his  ways,  God  is  present  and  has  a  direct 
agency.  The  change  through  all  its  stages, 
is  usually  marked  with  the  traces  of  a  di- 
vine agency. 

It  is  wrought,  "  neither  by  might  nor  by 
power,  but  by  my  spirit  saith  the  Lord." 
Moreover,  the  hopes  and  the  fears,  the  joys 
and  the  sorrows,  which  spring  out  of  this 
change,  present  the  Christian  in  perfect  con- 
trast with  his  former  self,  and  the  associates 
of  his  carnal  state.    Now,  while  the  world, 


THE  christian's  mimatcre.         63 

with  scoffs  and  scorn,  beholds  these  things, 
though  it  turns  aside  with  a  leer,  yet  it  is 
moved  with  wonder, — it  is  aflected  ;  and  the 
tendency  of  the  effect,  is,  to  draw  it  out  after 
God. 

Moreover,  in  the  change  from  a  state  of 
nature  to  a  state  of  grace,  the  Christian  be- 
comes invested  with  a  character,  from  which 
spring  new  and  peculiar  relations. 

The  distinguishing  feature  of  this  char- 
acter, is,  a  god-likeness  of  disposition.  This 
is  a  gracious  disposition  ;  and  is  the  source  of 
direct  agency  and  effort,  in  the  reconcilia- 
tion of  man  with  his  Maker.  The  Christian's 
relations  and  character,  are  such,  that  they 
can  be  fulfilled,  only,  by  such  a  course  of 
life  and  conduct,  as  that  he  shall  "  live  not 
unto  himself;  "  for  the  boundary  between 
the  regenerate  and  unregenerate  states,  is  a 
deep,  permanent  principle  of  benevolent  de- 
sire, developed  in  a  corresponding  course  of 
benevolent,  disinterested  action. 

The  Christian  is  endowed  with  new  and 
peculiar  power,  by  which,  "  as  a  Prince,  he 
hath  power  Avith  God  and  prevails."  It  was 
so  with  Jacob.     With  the  humble  follower 


64        THE  christian's  miniature. 

of  Jesus,  prayer  is  a  most  potent  engine,  by 
which,  he  directly  reaches,  takes  hold  of  and 
affects  the  interests  of  the  world.  Through 
prayer,  as  an  instrumentality,  the  Christian 
can  move  that  hand,  which  holds  the  world 
in  its  grasp — whose  finger  marks  out  the 
path  of  every  event,  and  directs  the  energy 
of  every  cause.  Though  a  simple,  neglected 
and  often  despised  means  of  good — though 
stript  of  its  power  and  importance  by  the 
vain  philosophy  of  some,  nevertheless,  prayer 
as  a  cause  in  the  relation  of  events,  is  the 
channel  of  influences  which  are  bearing  the 
world  onward  to  its  destiny  ! 

How  often  has  a  praying  wife  been  the 
means  of  saving  an  ungodly  husband  !  how 
often  have  praying  mothers  prevailed  with 
God  in  behalf  of  absent  children  !  how  often 
has  spiritual  life  kindled  afresh  and  spread 
through  the  community,  warming  to  new- 
ness of  life,  those  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins, 
in  answer  to  the  fervid  aspirations  of  some 
humble,  perhaps  obscure  child  of  God  ! 

As  connected  with  the  embassy  God  has 
sent  to  earth,  all  true  Christians  are  expect- 
ed to  be  direct,  in  their  efforts  to  reconcile 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  65 

man  with  his  Maker.  The  Christian  is  rais- 
ed up  and  stationed  among  men,  to  propose 
and  urge  the  necessity  of  reconciliation,  for 
■which,  by  overtures  of  mercy,  God  has  pre- 
pared the  way. 

Singly,  or  associated  in  church  estate  and 
relationship.  Christians  are  expected  to  sus- 
tain and  execute  plans,  for  the  recovery 
of  their  friends  and  fellow  men  fi'om  the 
power  and  dominion  of  sin.  In  this  respect 
they  are  co-workers  with  God. 

By  making  exhibition  of  the  fruits  of  re- 
conciliation in  their  lives  and  death,  God 
uses  his  children,  in  can-ying  forward  the 
work  of  reconciliation. 

The  Christian  is  a  pardoned  sinner.  Ee- 
joicing  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glorj'-,  he  is  a  living  example  of  the  blessed- 
ness of  reconciliation.  "  To  him  who  loves 
God,  all  things  work  together  for  good." 

Temptations,  crosses,  afflictions — all,  like 
joyous  rills,  are  so  turned  as  to  flow  together, 
(if  not  in  comfort  here  on  earth)  yet  so  as  to 
mingle  and  swell  that  ocean  of  blessedness 
and  purity,  where  the  spirits  of  just  men 
made  perfect,  shall  bathe  forever ! 


60  THE    CHPaSTIAN'S    MINIATURE, 

The  Holy  Scriptures,  though  sealed  to 
other  eyes,  to  those  of  the  reconciled  in  God, 
discover  inexhaustible  treasures  of  consola- 
tion. 

Jesus,  now  and  then,  opens  the  very  win- 
dows of  Heaven,  to  aflbrd  a  glimpse  of  that 
rest,  which  remains  for  the  people  of  God ; 
and  from  its  rich  fullness,  sheds  down  a  few 
mercy  drops  as  a  foretaste,  letting  in  upon 
the  soul,  a  ray  of  his  own  burning  love,  to  fire 
its  zeal  and  kindle  its  devotion. 

And  if  a  cloud  is  suffered  to  sweep  over 
the  prospect  of  the  reconciled  soul,  it  is  only 
that  the  light  may  break  forth  in  brighter 
effulgence — that  in  the  cloud,  the  bow  of 
promise  may  appear.  But  when  the  wintry 
chill  of  death  sweeps  over  the  scene,  it  brings 
the  Christian's  harvest  day,  when  the  choicest 
fruits  of  reconciliation,  will  be  reaped. — 
Though  the  soul  be  folded  in  the  arms  of 
death,  it  experiences  an  embrace  of  love.  A 
shout  of  triumph  trembles  on  the  tongue  as 
the  spirit  breaks  away  from  the  thrall  of 
sense  and  flesh,  and  soars  to  meet  its  God  ! 
"  0  death,  where  is  thy  sting  !  O  grave,  where 
is  thy  victory  !" 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  G7 

There  is  a  precious  reality  in  the  power  of 
the  religion  of  the  cross,  which  can  be  fully 
realized,  and  which  is  exhibited  in  its  won- 
derful displays,  only,  in  the  deatli  scene  of 
the  real  christian. 

There  is  a  charm  in  atoneing  blood,  which 
holds  the  king  of  terrors  spell-bound,  till  the 
soul  of  the  departing  saint  has  safely  crossed 
the  dark  valley  and  shadow  of  death  —  that 
abyss  which  divides  the  spirit  land  from  ours  I 

Thus,  is  the  Christian  connected  with  the 
interests,  and  called  to  live  and  die  in  a  world 
of  sin  and  wo.  In  the  manifestation  of  cov- 
enanting mercy  and  grace,  by  direct  eflbrt, 
by  the  power  of  prayer,  by  an  exhibition  in 
his  own  life  and  death,  of  the  fruits  of  re 
conciliation,  God  calls  the  Christian  into  his 
service  here  on  earth.  He  is  a  living  epistle, 
in  which  may  be  read,  the  merciful  and  be- 
nevolent disposition  of  God  towards  his  crea- 
tures. A  real  Christian,  is  a  real  blessing 
to  the  world.  His  influence  purifies  and 
perfects  society.  He  lives  and  labors,  and 
dies  for  others.  He  is  a  living,  moving, 
speaking  example  of  the  mercy  and  grace 
of  God.     The  Christian  is  called  to  glorify 


6S  THE   christian's   MINIATURE. 

God,  by  affording  in  his  life  and  death-scene, 
an  exhibition  of  the  fruits  of  reconciliation. 
He  dies  not  for  himself,  but  for  the  interests 
of  the  great  work  of  reconciliation,  on  which 
the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  are  engaged. 
— he  dies  for  the  truth.  Huss,  Rogers,  Cran- 
mer  and  Gridley,  in  the  flames  at  the  stake, 
died  not  for  themselves.  The  fires  that  kin- 
dled their  funeral  piles,  lighted  also  a  vol- 
cano, which  has  shook  the  very  walls  of  the 
popedom,  and  poured  a  flood  of  light  and 
truth,  over  continents  and  kingdoms.  Its 
mighty  throbbings  are  yet  felt  at  Rome,  in 
Italy  and  among  the  islands  of  the  sea,  and 
wherever  the  pulse  of  truth  can  beat ! 

Martyn,  Not,  and  Harriet  Xewell,  together 
with  the  whole  company  of  the  heralds  of 
the  cross,  whose  bones  bleach  on  foreign 
shores,  died  not  for  themselves.  *'  For  none 
of  us  liveth  unto  himself;  and  no  man  dieth 
unto  himself." — Rom.  xiv:  7. 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  69 

CHAPTER  VUI. 

THE   christian's    CONQUEST. 

The  gladiator,  it  is  said,  met  his  foe  in 
deadly  combat  on  the  arena  of  a  vast  amphi- 
theatre, in  the  presence  of  the  congregated 
citizens  of  Rome.  So  the  christian  has  been 
summoned  to  a  conflict,  for  which,  he  stands 
girded,  in  the  midst  of  a  vast  amphitheatre  — 
a  spectacle  to  angels,  men  and  devils.  This 
world  is  the  arena  of  his  spiritual  strife. 

By  the  same  dark  and  perilous  route,  the 
great  captain  of  our  salvation,  as  a  pioneer, 
in  opening — fought  —  bled  and  triumphed, 
—  the  disciple  of  Chi'ist  —  the  Christian, 
must  pass  to  his  rest  on  high. 

In  the  flesh,  he  must  meet  the  foes  of  his 
master  ;  —  run  like  risques ;  —  and  engage 
in  the  same  perilous  conflict,  and  achieve  a 
like  victory.  Then,  he  will  be  entitled  to 
the  rewards  and  honors  of  a  conqueror  — 
and  crowned  as  a  hero. 


70  THE    christian's    MINIATURE. 

The  course  of  the  Christian  is  a  warfare,  in 
which  he  wrestles,  not  against  flesh  and  blood 

—  "  but  against  principalites  and  powers  — 
against  the  rulers  of  this  world  —  and  against 
spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places.  The 
weapons  of  his  warfare  are  not  carnal,  but 
spiritual  and  mighty  through  God.  The 
end  of  his  warfare  will  be  victory  —  a  tri- 
umph —  the  fruits  of  a  conquest. 

In  this  conquest,  the  Christian  must  meet 
in  conflict  and  overcome,  the  world  —  the 
devil  and  himself. 

The  devil  is  described  as  a  fierce,  malig- 
nant spirit — of  great  subtlety  and  power 

—  and  of  real  and  not  fictitious  existence. 
The  world  is  the  Province  of  his  usurped 
dominion;  for  he  is  said  to  be  the  "Pi'ince 
and  power  of  the  air  —  the  Prince  of  this 
world." 

"  We  have  the  strongest  reason,"  says 
the  author  of  the  Physical  Theory  of  Anoth- 
er Life  —  "for  believing  that  men  universal- 
ly and  in  every  age,  are  exposed  to  silent 
malignant  seductions,  which  indeed,  never 
trench  upon  natural  liberty  of  mind ;  which, 
too  often,  like  the  influence  of  profligate 


THE    christian's    311NIATURE.  71 

companions,  prevail  over  the  better  princi- 
ples of  our  nature." 

Such,  is  the  nature  of  the  power  of  dark 
and  fallen  spirits,  over  mankind. 

But  a  direct  agency  is  attributed  to  Satan, 
as  the  instigator  and  abettor  of  the  acts  of 
wicked  men  —  "the  children  of  disobedi- 
ence," as  they  are  called. 

Therefore,  the  Devil  is  the  patron  of  wick- 
edness ;  in  which  he  delights,  and  which  he 
encourages.  All  this  is  implied  in  those 
words  of  inspiration,  which  speak  of  him, 
"  as  the  Prince  and  power  of  the  air,  who 
worketh  in  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  dis- 
obedience." 

Evil-doers,  are  then,  the  willing  tools  of 
the  Devil.  He  contrives,  plans,  and  sug- 
gests ;  while  they,  at  his  instigation,  execute 
his  diabolical  purposes. 

Insatiable  destructiveness,  is  another  fea- 
ture of  his  character,  as  sketched  in  the 
Bible.  "  He  goeth  about,  as  a  roaring  lion 
seeking  whom  he  may  devour."  1  Pet.  5: 
9  V. 

The  fact  of  the  real  existence  of  such  a 
being,   though   invisible,  who  frequents  the 


72        THE  christian's  miniature. 

path  of  human  hfe,  to  beguile  and  destroy, 
is  as  clearly  revealed,  as  any  fact  in  the  Bible. 
Christ  had  sensible  demonstration  of  it. 
The  world  groans  under  it ;  and  all  in  the 
world,  are  exposed  to  the  power  of  the  arch- 
apostate. 

Christians  are  a  "  peculiar  people,"  —  and 
therefore,  objects  of  the  fierce  wrath  and  im- 
placable hatred  of  the  Devil. 

Once  his  slave  and  tool  —  as  all  the  chil- 
dren of  disobedience  are,  —  in  his  change  of 
character,  the  Christian  changed  masters, 
and  revolted  against  the  authority  of  the 
Devil. 

The  Christian  is  a  follower  of  Jesus,  a 
soldier  of  the  cross,  a  candidate  for  a  celes- 
tial crown  and  throne,  and  receives  the 
countenance  and  support  of  the  great  Cap- 
tain of  our  salvation,  — who  has  vanquished 
the  Devil  — chained  him  to  the  car  of  prov- 
idence, and  compels  him  to  drag  onward  to 
its  glorious  consummation,  the  scheme  of 
grace.  The  Devil  seeks  the  everlasting  ruin 
of  the  saints,  because  they  are  destined  to 
rival  himself,  in  glory  and  exaltation.  He 
would  defeat  God,  in  any  purpose  he  may 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  73 

have,  to  elevate  redeemed  men  to  the  vacant 
seats,  once  occupied  by  the  Devil  and  his 
angels: — so  that  in  Heaven,  redeemed  men 
may  not  become  kings  and  priests  unto  God — 
noblemen  in  the  celestial  empire. 

In  attempting  to  execute  this  design,  the 
Devil  avails  himself  of  temptation,  which  he 
plies  under  its  various  forms.  The  circum- 
stances of  life,  society  and  companions — asso- 
ciates and  friends  —  furnish  ample  resources. 

And  if  the  Devil  fails  in  the  means  temp- 
tation furnishes,  then  he  changes  his  method 
of  operation.  He  is  a  being  of  great  versa- 
tility. He  can  become,  in  appearance  well 
disguised,  an  angel  of  light,  when  by  such 
a  change,  he  can  more  successfully  prose- 
cute his  designs. 

Artful  and  insidious,  with  all  the  skill  of 
the  old  serpent  who  lurked  in  the  garden  of 
Eden — the  Devil  sometimes  approaches  the 
Christian,  opening  before  him  a  way  that 
seemeth  right  in  his  own  eyes,  that  he  may 
more  effectually  lead  him  down  to  the  gates 
of  death.  "  For  there  is  a  way  that  seem- 
eth right  unto  a  man,  but  the  end  thereof 
are  the  ways  of  death."    Prov.  14 :  12  v. 


74        THE  christian's  miniature. 

It  is  not  impossible,  that  providential  oc- 
currences, may  be  bent  iji  the  direction  of 
his  purposes,  so  that  in  following  them  as 
indications  of  the  path  of  duty,  the  Chris- 
tian, may  be  deceived  and  led  astray  there- 
by. Suggestion  and  impulse,  are  often 
effectually  turned  to  his  advantage,  in  ac- 
complishing the  same  design. 

Peculiar  moral  and  mental  infiiTnities,  are 
seized  upon,  and  brought  to  bear  against  the 
Christian  —  so  that  his  steadfastness  is  often 
shaken  — his  rampart  of  faith  broken  down 
—  his  conscience  paralyzed  —  while  he  him- 
self, is  hurried  into  sin. 

By  gusts  of  passion,  the  Devil  often  sweeps 
away  the  barriers  of  religious  restraint — 
dashes  to  the  ground,  every  good  resolution — 
and  precipitates  the  Christian  into  «in. 

Envy,  jealousy  and  malice,  are  sparks  in 
the  remaining  depravity  of  the  heart,  which 
he  contrives  to  fan  into  a  flame.  Thus  does 
the  Devil,  at  every  corner  of  life,  beset  the 
Christian,  that  he  may  ensnare  and  capti- 
vate the  soul.  The  godly  in  all  ages  have 
experienced  the  buffetings  of  Satan.  They 
have  escaped  through  much  tribulation,  and 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  75 

by  firm  resistance-  Every  Christian  may  ex- 
pect to  meet  the  Devil  in  the  warfare  of  faith, 
and  must  achieve  a  victory  over  him,  would 
he  gain  the  Christian  conquest.  "  Kesist  the 
Devil  and  he  will  flee  from  thee  "  —  "  watch 
and  pray,  lest  ye  enter  into  temptation." 
Watchfulness  and  prayer  are  safeguards 
against  temptation  ;  while  resistance,  will  de- 
feat the  Devil  in  his  attempts  to  overcome 
the  soul. 

But,  though  the  Christian  be  successful  in 
the  first  encounter,  and  overcome  his  fore- 
most enemy,  there  is  danger  still,  to  his  soul, 
from  the  world  in  which  he  lives. 

Attractive,  but  delusive,  the  world  is  a 
scene  of  enchantment,  often,  too  powerful  for 
the  heart  of  the  Christian. 

"  The  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye 
and  the  pride  of  Ufe" — are  the  sources  of  the 
world's  power,  over  the  heart  of  the  Christian. 

Worldly-mindedness,  is  one  of  the  most 
prevailing  and  yet  pernicious  defects  of 
Christian  character.  The  world  absorbs  in 
its  own,  every  other  interest.  Let  the  Chris- 
tian become  so  blind  to  his  real  interest,  as 
to  feel  that  his  treasure  is  on  earth,  and  he 


76        THE  christian's  miniature. 

will  dig  for  it  here,  till  he  has  dug  the  grave 
of  his  soul !  "  For  he  who  will  be  the  friend 
of  the  world,  is  the  enemy  of  God." — James 
iv :  4.  The  motives  of  the  gospel,  fall  pow- 
erless at  the  feet  of  the  worldly-minded  Chris- 
tian. As  he  hastens  through  life,  his  eye 
will  be  diverted  from  life's  great  end.  The 
phantoms  of  earth,  as  they  flit  by,  will  at- 
tract him  :  and  as  he  turns  aside  to  gaze,  or 
mingles  w^ith  the  giddy  throng  of  worldlings 
in  the  doubtful  chase,  he  will  stumble 
and  fall  into  sin,  if  not  into  hell.  Over  the 
cares  of  this  life  and  the  deceitfulness  of 
riches,  multitudes  have  pitched  into  outer 
d.arkness.  When  the  world  rolls  a  bauble  of 
fashion,  or  honor  in  his  way,  the  worldling 
will  stop  to  admire,  and  then  stoop  to  pick  it 
up.  Pleasure  beckons  to  her  bowers,  and  he 
is  won  by  the  address  of  the  world  to  receive 
her  embrace,  which  ends  in  disappointment 
and  remorse.  How  many  strong  men  armed, 
have  fallen  thus,  under  the  craft  of  the 
world  ?  How  many,  who  would  have  braved 
legions  of  darkness,  in  open,  undisguised  con- 
flict, and  successfully  mantained  the  fight, 
have  been  vanquished  by  a  smile  ? 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  77 

The  embrace  of  the  "world,  is  death  to  the 
Christian  ;  for  the  world  never  caresses,  but 
to  conquer.  Then,  the  Christian  must  over- 
come the  world,  since  his  safety,  lies  in  his 
victory  here.  And  this  is  the  victory  that 
overcometh  the  world — "  even  your  faith." 
Let  the  Christian  live  by  faith,  and  he  will 
overcome  the  world  ;  for  he  will  live  above 
the  fear  of  its  power,  and  below  its  flattery. 
Let  him  repudiate  the  selfish  maxims  of  the 
world — resist  its  enchantments,  and  use  the 
world  as  not  abusing  it,  keeping  himself  un- 
spotted therefrom — and  whether  the  world  go 
fair  or  foul  with  him,  he  will  maintain  a  con- 
sistent walk  and  conversation.  In  fine,  the 
Christian  must  meet  and  conquer  himself. 

Alexander  the  great,  conquered  the  world, 
— could  weep,  it  is  said,  because  other  worlds 
were  not  within  reach  of  his  sword.  But, 
Alexander  could  not  conquer  himself.  He 
was  master  on  every  other  field,  but  that,  in 
which  he  encountered  self. 

Naturally,  self  was  not  more  invinci- 
ble to  the  king  of  Macedon,  than  it  is  to  the 
humblest  peasant  on  the  mountain,  or  in  the 
vale. 


78        THE  christian's  miniature. 

Knowledge  is  the  ground  of  successful  ac- 
tion. Knowledge  of  the  circumstances  and 
position  of  the  enemy,  enables  the  general, 
to  secure  victory.  Self-knowledge,  is  the 
first  step  to  self-conquest. 

Such  knowledge,  implies  acquaintance 
with  pei-sonal  infirmities  —  those  vulnerable 
points  in  character,  at  which  the  shafts  of  sin, 
enter  and  wound,  and  destroy. 

Though  the  heart  be  renewed,  "  the  mo- 
tions of  sin  remain  in  our  mortal  members." 
All  have  their  besetting  sins,  dear  as  a  right 
hand,  or  as  a  right  eye  ;  and  various,  as  the 
seeds  of  human  depravity,  from  which  they 
spring.  Though  different  in  difi'erent  indi- 
viduals, besetting  sins  will  appear  under  the 
fonn  of  passion,  envy,  lust  and  pride.  These 
sins,  like  the  little  foxes  which  spoiled  the 
vines,  have  spoiled  many  a  Christian  char- 
acter, and  blighted  the  graces  which  are  the 
natural  fruits  of  Christian  principle.  Open 
and  flagitious  wrong  doing,  is  generally 
guarded  against ;  while  little  sins  and  vices, 
which  can  hide  in  the  dark  corners  of  the 
heart,  or  lurk  under  the  motives,  or  bury  in  the 
desires,  are  suffered  to  escape  as  infirmities. 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE,  79 

But  these  little  sins,  are  the  canker  worms, 
at  the  root  of  piety.  They  cause  blight  to 
fall  on  the  fruits  of  virtue.  They  must  be 
hunted  down  and  destroyed,  or,  overcome. 
Self  is  dear,  but  dangerous.  The  Christian, 
must  not  only  watch  against  sin,  but  strive 
for  the  mastery  of  himself.  He  who  holds 
with  a  firm  grasp,  the  rein  of  every  passion 
— he  who  can  check  appetite  and  suppress 
unholy  desire,  hath  rule  over  his  own  spirit 
— has  conquered  himself. 

So  far  as  the  development  of  disposition 
and  character  are  concerned,  "  man  is  a  bun- 
dle of  habits."  But  habits  are  the  natural 
shoots  of  the  heart,  or,  like  exotics,  they 
have  been  transplanted  from  the  circle  of  so- 
ciety in  which  we  move,  and  become  ingraft- 
ed on  ourselves.  In  the  conflict  for  self  con- 
quest, the  power  of  habit  is  to  be  overcome, 
so  far,  as  to  be  subject  to  the  control  of  him- 
self. But  such  ascendency  over  the  appetites 
and  passions  and  habits,  can  be  acquired, 
only,  by  rigid  and  persevering  discipline  and 
self-denial.  Then  the  Christian  must  prac- 
tise habits  of  self-denial,  and  establish  habits 
of  self  scrutiny. 


80       THE  ciiuisriAN's  miniature. 


Tlio  (liHpoKltioii,  the  molivcH,  tho  (lOHlroH 
uiid  fonlin^H,  uniHt  bo  coinpcllcd,  oflcii,  lo 
[iMss   ill  rcvi(nv  hcforo  lht>  hnr  df  coiiscnciicc. 

Nn\v,Mllcll   !ini   llic   In.. H  Willi  wllicll    llic  Clllis- 

liiiii  iimsl  /'Tiippir  in  li,.|V(r  condict.  'I'Iki 
|.n-,cMl  is  !i  sliil.-  (if  .lisciplii,,..  I'.y  Ili«.  ilis- 
ripliiH^  (.r  IIiiM  st:it.',  evil  liiiliils  iin-  If)  Ixi 
JiriiKiMi  lip,  :iiiil  evil  (lispcmil ioiiH  iircs  to  Iki 
(ivricoiiir.  r.<'i.'lliii<',siiis  nni  toho  Hiilxliicd. 
'I'lio  Devil,  IIh'  wniM  Mill!  oui'solvns,  anUo  1)0 
(■((inpiorcii.  'i'lic  w  IkiIc  man,  is  to  bo  broiif^lit 
into  siilijcrlion  to  llu'  rrlii'ioiiH  priticiplo. 

Wll.-U   nil  IbiM   llMH   lllTll    tllO|-()l|.r|l!y  I|C(M)II1- 

pli'  lii'ij,  ihr^   (^IiriHtiiin    will   Imvn  ovcrc.diin'. 

His  colKpii-Ht  will  bo  COIIlpIi'tc.        'I'licil    will    III' 

pn-soiit  nn  iibiMtriotis  oximipio  of  tin-  iijitiin' 
iukI  ('(r(>ctrt,  of  tlio  n'Ii':;ioii  oCbvmiH.  Sm-li  is 
till'  wMrfaic,  in  wliidi,  llin  f"!liriftfiiui  is  cii- 
(■;:i;';i''l.  I,ct  liini  piidi  Cor  llio  coiwiuost,  iiiiil 
][i'  will  \<r  pcnnithMl  \o  oiifor  tbo  coloHtiiil 
<-ily  in  triiimpliiil  Htiito,  bonriiipj  tbo  trophioM 
ofviotoiy.  Victory  or  (loiitli,  is  iiiovilnhbi ! 
TIkm-o  iH  no  roloiiHO,  tboro  in  no  altoriiiitivo  ! 

Till  bo  luiH  fou^lit  iiiul  coiiipi(!ro(l,  tboro  \n 
no  safoty.  Lot  bim  not  bo  found  Hbioplng 
at  hiH  poHt.    llifl  foos  are  within,  and  nround 


THE  OttEI«TUN'«   MINIATTJRE.  81 

liirn.    Ho  can  novor  lay  off  hl»  armor.    The 

nmllict  In  hctwfion  •wlHdom  and  folly— tlio 
.•^piritiml  Htid  tho  HoriHiial  man. 

'I'lio  lust  oncmy  wiUi  which  tho  OhriHlian 
iriiiHt  ^'rapi>lo  iH  death.  IT<}  iniiHt  m<!Ot,  huf, 
will  overcome,  Uifl  kinp;  of  IcrrorH.  The  tri- 
umph of  death  over  the  physical  nature, 
will  he  hut  ai)relude  to  tho  (JhriKtiarrH  com- 
phite  victory. 

I-'or, death  will  triumiih,  only,  over  the  wen- 
Hual  man,  while  tlio  Hpiritual,  will  he  re- 
leaHcd  and  HuHered  to  piiHH  out  of  this  world, 
Ixiyond  tho  reach  of  every  Hi)iritual  foe,  into 
theHaint'hevcrhiHtinf^reHt.  'J'hore,  will  h«  he 
permitted  to  wear  a  victor's  crown — a  hlood- 
l<;«n  trophy,  which  (iod  tho  ri^hteouH  Judfje 
hall  give  to  all  wlio  lovo  his  a{)f)<!aring. 
'I'liero  i»  un  adai>tfttlon  of  moan«  to  the  end, 
ill  tho  coiirHO  of  diHcijiline  to  wlii<;h  the  (JhriK- 
tiiin  \h  Huhjectcd,  though  (tod  givetli  to  the 
ChriHtian  hirt  victory  through  our  Ii(jrd.Je«un 
(JhriKt,  hy  which,  tho  Devil,  tho  world  and 
hijuHolf,  aro  chulnod  t^;  tho  will  of  tho  con- 
(jiieror,  and  led  aHliiHcaptivoH.  Thoy  can  no 
iiioro  entice  the  lieurt,  and  lead  hito  hIii. 

Tho  ro«ult  of  tl»i»  conflict,  Ih,  to  purify  and 


82         THE  christian's  miniature. 

perfect  character.  The  moral  power  brought 
into  exercise,  for  resistance  against  evil, 
strengthens  the  moral  constitution  ;  and  the 
effect  of  temptation  resisted  successfully, 
strengthens  the  moral  nature,  in  well  devel- 
oped power  and  habit.  The  moral  energy 
brought  into  exercise  for  resistance,  devel- 
ops the  higher  and  nobler  nature  of  man.  It 
also  generates  habit,  and  plants  principles, 
which  will  ultimately  control  the  being. 
The  sehabits  being  virtuous,  and  the  prin- 
ciples being  those  of  holy  benevolence  and 
obedience,  peace,  blessedness,  life  evei-last- 
ing,  will  be  the  rich  reward.  He  who  passes 
into  a  future  state,  from  his  present  inferior 
condition  —  from  time  into  eternity  —  furn- 
ished with  such  habits  and  principles  by  the 
discipline  of  life,  is  prepared  to  enjoy  the 
Christian's  reward,  as  the  hero  of  a  spiritual 
warfare. 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  83 


CHAPTEK  IX. 

christian's    STATE   OF    GLORIFICATION. 

We  have  seen  the  Christian  on  earth  — 
exposed  to  its  evil  —  flying  from  the  "  wrath 
to  come  "  —  encountering  temptation  —  con- 
tending with  and  triumphing  over  sin.  But, 
having  fought  the  good  fight  —  finished  his 
course  and  kept  the  faith  —  he  will  be  per- 
mitted to  enter  into  his  rest  —  a  rest  which 
remaineth  to  the  people  of  God  —  "a  rest 
that  shall  be  glorious." 

On  earth — among  its  inhabitants  —  the 
Christian  was  distinguished  as  belonging  to 
a  peculiar  people.  In  heaven,  he  will  be  no 
less  distinguished,  in  the  same  particular. 
He  will  appear  there,  "with  a  great  multi- 
tude which  no  man  can  number,"  who  sur- 
round the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb,  and 
cease  not  day,  nor  night,  saying  "  holy,  holy, 
Lord  God  Almighty,  which  was,  and  is,  and 
is  to  come." 


84       THE  christian's  miniature. 

In  personal  appearance,  the  Christian  will 
be  distinguished  in  his  glorified  state. 

He  will  walk  among  the  inhabitants  of 
Heaven  — robed  in  white  —  wearing  a  crown, 
and  bearing  the  emblems  of  victory  in  his 
hands.  His  robe  of  linen,  clean  and  white, 
"  is  the  righteousness  of  the  saints."  But,  the 
righteousness  of  the  saints,  is  the  righteous- 
ness of  God  in  Christ,  with  which  redeemed 
men  are  clothed.  It  is  a  royal  vesture.  It 
is  of  the  same  material  with  Christ's.  Then 
the  Christian  in  his  glorified  state,  will  be 
dressed  like  Christ.  He  will  be  crowned 
with  a  crown  of  life,  fashioned  like  Christ's 
crown  —  studded  with  symbols  of  life  — 
beaming  with  its  glory.  He  will  be  distin- 
guished among  the  heavenly  hosts  as  a  hero 
—  a  conqueror  —  even  as  Christ  —  the  great 
captain  of  our  salvation,  is  there  distin- 
guished. 

Each  Christian,  will  bear  there  the  image 
of  Christ,  which,  on  earth,  was  formed  in 
his  heart  the  hope  of  glory. 

■\\liatever  regal  honor,  whatever  glory  as  a 
conqueror  —  whatever  admiration  as  a  moral 
hero  —  Christ  shall  receive  at  the  hands  and 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  85 

lips  of  celestial  beings,  and  the  pure  intelli- 
gences of  the  universe  of  God  who  may 
gather  there  from  all  worlds  —  the  Chris- 
tian, will  be  permitted  to  share, —  if  we  may- 
believe  the  word  of  God.  Indeed  —  the 
resurrection  body  of  the  Christian,  is  to  be 
fashioned  like  unto  Christ's  glorious  body, 
however  marred,  it  may  here  seem  —  howev- 
er deformed,  it  may  be  here,  in  the  flesh.  So 
the  Christian,  in  heaven,  will  be  distinguish- 
ed in  his  person  —  in  his  appearance  —  in 
his  vesture,  and  in  his  character  —  by  a 
close  and  striking  resemblance  to  Christ. 
In  this  respect,  he  will  appear  there,  as  be- 
longing to  a  peculiar  people. 

He  will  be  equally  distinguished,  for  the 
service,  to  which  he  will  be  called  there. 

The  place  of  service  will  be  peculiar.  He 
will  serve  in  the  inner  court  —  where  God 
dwelleth.  Angels,  like  flames  of  fire  stand 
and  serve  round  about  the  throne,  as  minis- 
ters of  state.  But  the  Christian  is  called  to 
the  estate  of  "  Kings  and  Priests  unto  God." 
He  will  be  honored  in  heaven  with  mysteri- 
ous revelations  of  the  presence  of  God  in 


86       THE  christian's  miniature. 

the  deep  fullness  of  his  glory  —  in  the  secret 
place  of  the  Most  High. 

The  Christian  will  lead  the  service  of  God 
in  his  celestial  Temple.  To  this  end,  he  is 
made  a  Priest  unto  God.  The  object  of  this 
service,  would  seem  to  be,  an  increase  of 
celestial  harmony.  Christian  spirits  —  re- 
deemed, blood-washed,  will  fill  the  orchestra 
above  —  lead  the  heavenly  choirs,  and  teach 
them  to  hymn  their  Maker's  praise  in  a  song 
which  will  be  new,  even  among  those  sweet 
sounds  which  warble  from  immortal  tongues, 
or  flow  from  the  voice  of  harpers  harping 
with  their  harps ! 

The  burden  of  this  song  will  be  more  strange 
than  the  song  itself.  Salvation  is  its  theme. 
Those  who  sing  it,  having  experienced  its 
power  and  drank  of  the  fullness  of  its  bles- 
sedness, are  able  to  sing  it  with  the  spirit 
and  understanding  also. 

Therefore,  Christian  spirits  in  heaven  can 
touch  chords  of  sympathy — awaken  emo- 
tions —  and  reach  strains  so  exalted,  as  will 
transcend  the  power  and  skill  of  every  other 
heavenly  songster. 

When  the  Christian  with  his  blood- washed 


THE    christian's    MINIATURE.  87 

companions,  shall  strike  this  new  song,  we 
may  suppose  that  angels  will  pause  to  catch 
the  thrilling  strain  —  the  heavenly  inhabit- 
ants cease  their  pastimes  on  the  banks  of 
the  river  of  life,  and  listen  with  rapture  to 
the  strange  enchanting  sounds  —  and  that 
cherub  and  seraph  will  climb  celestial  heights 
—  drop  their  golden  harps  and  suspend  their 
hallelujahs  to  hear. 

But  when  the  song  is  ended,  and  the  echoes 
of  it  begin  to  die  along  the  heavenly  plain  — 
its  power,  will  move  even  the  heavenly  hosts, 
who,  rising  round  about  the  throne,  and 
falling  on  their  faces,  will  worship  God  — 
and  in  one  long,  loud,  and  rapturous  chorus 
unite,  saying  —  "  Amen  —  blessing  and  glory 
and  wisdom  and  thanksgiving  and  honor 
and  power  and  might  be  unto  our  God  for- 
ever and  forever  —  Amen!"  So  the  Chris- 
tian, in  heaven,  will  lead  the  song,  in  the 
chorus  of  which  only,  will  high  and  holy  in- 
telligences be  able  to  join. 

The  Christian  in  his  glorified  state  will  be 
an  object  of  peculiar  interest.  God  Almighty 
will  take  special  notice  of  him,  and  receive 
him,  into  a  special  and  peculiar  nearness 


88        THE  christian's  miniature. 

to  himself.  The  Lord  God  will  dweU  with 
him.  No  tear  can  start,  but  he  will  see, 
and  stoop  to  wipe  it  away.  No  sorrow  can 
invade  his  peace.  God  will  watch  over 
Christian  spirits,  to  comfort  them.  They 
will  be  removed  in  all  respects,  from  all  those 
causes  of  sorrow  and  suffering,  which  mar- 
red their  peace  on  earth.  The  glorified  state 
of  the  Christian,  in  fine,  will  be  in  perfect 
contrast  with  his  present  state. 

Something  analogous  to  this  description,  is 
shadowed  through  the  gorgeous  imagery  of 
the  book  of  Revelations. 

Let  the  Christian  contemplate  the  minia- 
ture of  the  Christian's  hfe,  till  the  features 
shall  be  indelibly  impressed  on  his  own  soul, — 
till  he  shall  see  himself,  as  he  hopes  to  appear 
in  Heaven  —  transformed  into  the  likeness 
of  Christ. 


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